Ta-daaaa~
Okay I think we have everyone we're going to get. Let's just have one final role call to make sure nobody has dropped out over my flakery yesterday and then I'll start the gameplay thread (unless someone appears with a sob story about how their character isn't finished and I get emotionally manipulated into waiting)
(Obviously that counts as your check in, Garret, but if you feel like posting again to check in don't let me stop you)
A tall Aasimar enters the bar and pauses to beat some of the dust off his coat, his eyes assessing the crowd. He's wearing an agile breastplate and is armed with a great sword and composite longbow. Apparently satisfied he crosses to the bar and orders a whiskey.
When his drink arrives he'll drop a silver piece on the bar and say, "My thanks. I'm looking to enter the Gilded Hole." He'll flash the bartender a grin, "They'll need to come up with a different name for the place. The Gilded Hole makes it sound like I'm searching for a fancy whore doesn't it. Anyway, I was wondering if you knew of a party looking for some help?"
Eyeing the silver on the counter the barman mumbles something and nods towards a group gathered around table in the corner. Garrett will nod his thanks and, leaving the silver piece for the barman, walk over and introduce himself.
"Good day to you. My name is Garrett Carr. I'm told you're putting together an expedition and was wondering if you needed another member."
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Seated at the table already is an average sized dwarf wearing grey leather armor, waraxe leaning against the tavern bar behind him. On the table in front of him is a couple pieces of paper, silver quill and vial of black ink as well as a small pile of sand.
"Welcome Garrett, I am Farrin Durzak, historian by trade. It is nice to meet you. My role right now to is keep track of any rules or agreements that we that have come agree to. a sorta contract to keep on paper what we agree with in words. Should there ever been a need to use one of the strange courts here, it can not hurt."
Garrett nods amiably, "Sounds like a sensible arrangement. What terms are you considering?"
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Pursing his lips and stroking his beard farrin replies. " Well i had considered splitting up coin other more liquid items to be an part for everyone with two parts also going to whatever we end up calling ourselfs. It seems in this place we may vary well need one as versed in law as i am in history and i doubt that a laworian or what whatever they call themselfs is cheep. Then if one of use dies that mutual fund could be use to play for a raise dead scroll if such could be found here.. corse thats more down the road, but better to get it in now. "
Beyond that well id suggest things be split up among who can use it. or we could just draw lots for everything we acquire.
Beyond that.. hum everyone one of us gets a say in something? We may decide someones the leader.. but if everyone else is against a decision, we shouldnt have to do that. As long as that leader aint me i dun care whom it is.
"What terms would you find agreeable? "
I'm here looking for a relic of Iomedae so if we run across that I'll want to take possession of it but other than that it sounds good. I suppose we would divide up whatever proceeds the company has accrued when we decide to dissolve the company? I've heard they offer resurrection insurance somewhere around here. That might be worth looking into.
I imagine we all have different reasons for being here. Does anyone else have a particular item they're after?
Malbrighka stands in the doorway for a moment, a silhouette against the bright sky, before she steps aside and allows the door to close. She scans the room with a half smile as she holds her great axe inverted so that the head's middle spike rests on the floor. She waves demurely and crosses to a table.
"Here you are," she says settling into a chair like water being gently poured into a tea cup. She rests her axe behind her. Seeing the documents on the table she takes out a small pouch from her vest's pocket. "Please forgive my delay. My name is Malbrighka of the Kir Dunraghk tribe." Removing an ink stone she pours a small amount of water in the reservoir and begins to mix black ink. When ready, she takes a small block of wood about the size of her thumb and sets it near the stone.
"I dreamt you," she indicates Garret, "are seeking a relic of Iomedae. I seek...I was sent to acquire wealth. That first attempt ended in disaster. This will be my second endeavor."
"You have experience within the Hole Malbrighka? What can you tell us about it?"
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Not looking up from his notes, Farrin replies. "Indeed If we dissolve the company, company funds are divided up evenly, based on time served a part per month. or i guess they call them shares in this town."
If someone wishes to depart the company and the rest of do not wish to disband. The Company will buy back their shares at a 50% rate? 75%? Id like to be punished finical if i leave the rest of you hanging and ditch you."
I seek but two things. Knowledge of what happened to my people, our songs, histories, geologies, everything that was lost in the dispersa that is first and foremost. Yes - our geologies, every dwarf knows his family line back a few score generations. "
Farrin pats the ornate waraxe leaning against the wall behind him. Myself and Durzak here have some unfinished business with a couple tribes of giants. So anything that would aid in that endeavor.
I also really think that... he breaks off as Malbrighka sits down with them, not quite making eye contact with her face. Shaking his head he continues in rapid-fire-almost-gnome-speak...We-should-hear-from-this-lass, this-dwarf-ran-into-her-near-another-taverrr.. He breaks off with a squeek,Slides a silver inkpen across the table to Malbrighka then nervously goes back to scribbling in dwarven on the paper.
"Let's say 50% for now. We can revisit the issue at a later date if we feel the need. I suppose we should also designate next of kin?" Garret says gravely.
Vekaessena reporting in. Will post more after son is asleep.
The tavern door opens framing a striking woman dressed in exotic raiment. She pauses at the door, squinting in the dim light. Striding in purposefully Farrin, Malbrighka and Garrett can see her exchange pleasantries with the help before being directed to their table.
The woman approaches confidently, the archaic greatsword at her back and well-muscled physique seemingly at odds with the layers of silk and brocade that complete her outfit. She appears as if out of histories of the past, and her accent is equally intriguing.
"Greetings fine vishata folk." The woman offers an honorific of some kind, accompanied by a hand to head and heart gesture foreign to each of you.
"I am Vekaessena, a foreigner in these parts. I am told you attempt the caverns below. Though vagabonds have parted me from my armor, my blade and magic are yours if you will have me."
Garrett nods, "Greetings Vekaessena. I don't place your accent. Where are you from?"
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I continue writing, nodding at Vekaessena and the pitcher of ale that I slide over on her side of the table when Garrett sat down. Reaching into my pack I pull out four scroll cases, pull out the paper within, stack them neatly infront of me. I pull out three other stone vials and set them in front of me as well. Cracking my knuckles.
"Ser, Mam, Lady. Ill make you each a copy and fill one with the clerks at the library when we are finished. They like me, they endorsed my Identify Papers as a Dwarf three times already!"
"Before you Ladies",Farrin blushes, Arrived Garrett here and myself came to an accord with regards to treasure. Usually, as you know treasure is split up 1 part a person, well HERE in venture town they call parts shares when it has to do with a company. Well since we are creating a company here.
Shares work like this. Everyone on a mission gets 1 part, 2 parts go to whatever we call this company. Its going to be expensive here, and if one of us dies, I want us to be able to maybe buy a scroll of raise dead or the like. HECK, I was charged 5 gold to fill my waterskin at a public fountain just inside the gate, the guards did nothing so I assumed it was a legit fee.
"Each month, or mission, we each get 1 share, beyond the initial one."
"If you want out, and everyone else votes to stay.
You can sell back those shares, right now at 50% value. So since there are four of. IF I wanted to leave in two months. I would get one eighth whatever coin we have acquired for the company, with the other eighth of my portion remaining with you three."
"Im here to recover my peoples history. And find a human male that my ..mas-Friend asked to me find."
"what else do yas think we need to rit down, sorry but I prefer business before pleasure?"
To Garrett:
"Beyond the Iceveil and west to the Wells. Perhaps you have heard of the Ketiamari* traders? A few reside here, even in Venture Town. They are but a shadow of a lost Empire. That my people conquered, before themselves falling into disarray. We are the Amari*, the Dwellers in the City States of the Wells."
Vekaessena spins a seat around so that the back is against the table and sits, perusing the contract laid out before her.
" I have no coin at all Meister Dwarf. None whatsoever. As I say, I was robbed by vagabonds - my heirloom hauberk-khirt taken and coin pouch removed from my safety. Before anything, I seek its return- it is not magical, but represents a sentimental bond with my homeland I am loathe to forego." A flare of passion brings color to Vek's cheeks. "Those will die ere I find my own." Vek regains her composure.
" So. I have no capital to add to your stock. I am a liability, in terms of coin. But, I guarantee, an asset in the field."
* Ketiamari ketty-amar-ee "Lost to the Amari/Guilt of the Amari/Amari's Ruin"
* Amari - amma-rye "Dwellers in the City States of the Wells"
Before Vekaessena arrives: "What we found made my worst nightmare seem like a summer daydream," she answers the paladin staring at him right in the eyes. "Three of ten survived. We found a foul, corrupted place. It used our weaknesses against us."
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Malbrighka nods in greeting to the human as she joins the group though looks surprised when as she sits in the reversed chair.
Listening to the dwarf, she frowns when he mentions "fifty percent." Taking the silver pen offered by Klokk, she scribbles some numbers on a piece of paper unfolded from another small bag. "Are you saying that the time and effort I put into the company will only be half rewarded? How is that fair? Does the two shares to the company get added each month? If there are five of us, wouldn't that make seven shares in the first month and twelve shares in the next? If someone left then they'd take only one of the two shares they had. That remaining one share is split between the four and not the four and company?"
That's the lot then. Gameplay post en route.
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Looking at Vekaessena "well lass ive bout enough coin to pay the filling fees and get a fourth endorsement as a Dwarf. I am OK, with helping you reaquire what was taken from me, That is why Durzak and I here have business with some giants."
Still not meeting the eyes of Malbrighka, the 2nd women hes seen in some 60 years, that he thinks is a Lady of the Nigh,t as he has read about, after all he met her throwing a man outside the doors of what he latter learned was a Flower House, Farrin blushes again.
" Well m'Lady. I thought of it like this. We earn 700 Gold coins in a month. There are five, as you proport. Each of us will recieve 100 gold coins, Corporation whatwecallourselves will earn 200 gold."
"We also earn 1 share of the corporations wealth. Each time the corporation takes in a large chunk of coin, or once a month everyone of us gains a share. As of right now payout of the shares we each have is 50%, unless we vote and decide to reform the company in which case payout for the shares will be 100%."
"The reason i suggest THAT, is maybe in five months time we have 100 people working for us, half a dozens expidetions out at one time. I decide that its time for me to move on. We five each have 10 shares and our company is worth 1.000.000.0 gold coins making each share worth 20.000.0 Gold coins. I bring up a vote to disband the company and cash out my shares. Vote says No - I can either keep my current amount of shares and just leave, or cash them in for 50% of their combined value. Vote says Yes - I get 100% of their comined value or 20% of the company. Perhaps at the time i want to leave we only have 15% of our wealth as a liquid resource the rest are tied up in whathaveyou. IF i cash out at the rate that i suggest, the company will still have 5% of total value left and will not have to fire anyone or sell off assets to stay afloat."
Farrin takes a long, pull from the pitcher, draining it as he realizes he has just spoken more at one time in the past couple minutes then the past 30 years and to a Flowerwoman about money and not special services. He starts to blush from eartip to toe.
Quite succinct master dwarf. And I don't believe there was any mention of a buy in, so a lack of coin at this point shouldn't be a problem, right? If anyone needs equipment before we start I have a bit of gold I can loan them."
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I set the inkpen down on the table as my right hand begains to shake. Looking up at Garrett dead in the eye and say in a forceful yet calm voice "Do Not Ever Call Me Master Again."
After I finish speaking; I reach up to touch the Mark upon my left cheek in remembrance. A few tears slip down my face over the mark into beard, they are ignored by me. I am stuck in my thoughts. the anvil, all those axes, all those beings that died from my axes, I shake my head.
Opening my eyes I continue.
"I know you ment no offense. This Mark is to remind me that. ..when one spends about a third of a lifetime as long as ours Garret chained to a Fire Giants Anvil and said fire giant refers to himself as Master. It is hard, almost a declaration of war, to be called master in turn. That is why Durzak and I are here are, to get better so we can throw that clan into the forges they made us work."
"But back to the topic at hand. Buy in price. I suggest 1 copper each, I will supply it if you do not have it. That way the company at the least has some value, beyond the paper it is printed on.
ohh man, I told my self I wasn't going to mention the giants.. I was going to keep my past secret unless they ask bout the Mark on my face. I blame these women, it has been fifty years since I have spoken with a female.. When that giant killed my sister. ..How did I get myself into this mix. I just came here to bring those gems to His son. I can just feel them sensing the lies that I only have a few coins. If they knew how much I carried. I need to find him soon.
" I do not suppose one of you knows a Winlow Darterson by chance?"
Bamph. Game on.
"I'm sorry Farrin, as you say I meant no offence." Garrett tosses a copper piece on the table, "I afraid I've never heard of Winlow Darterson."
Awesome. Time to step into the Kafkaesque nightmare that is the Venture Town legal system.
You'll need a name, even if it's just Four People LLAC (limited liability adventuring company).
Vek is humbled by the offers of help. She studies the man, dwarf and half-orcess closely, wondering how they came to be here.
It matters little - that they can work together, and that I can work with them is all that matters. If...
Vek smiles at the offer of financial aid.
Farrin, Garrett, permit me to accept whatever aid you can give. I would ask for 50 gold to requip myself in a suit of scale armor, or with 25 gold I could purchase some archaic Amiri Parade Armor I eyed hanging in one of the Ketiamiri trader's stalls."
Vek scans the charter again.
"Unlike Malbrighka, I am afraid I have no head for figures. I will accept your consensus, though it seems gold is not particularly the driving force for any of us. [whispers] I seek knowledge of a forbidden art known as the Draining Ways. It would appear much as a martial kata, only very refined and subtle. If any of you know or hear of such I would be most happy to hear of it."
Malbrighka places a hand on Farrin's forearm. "No, I don't know that name. I am so sorry to hear of your history. Besides not calling you ‘Master' is there anything else we can do to ease your suffering?"
The half-orc whispers arcane words and swipes her hand over the paper to make the numbers disappear. She begins to write some new numbers while drawing circles that she sections into various wedges. She takes a sip of her ale then returns to her calculations.
"I didn't expect this venture to get so large. You are planning far in the future. For now, let me ask you this. Any employees we hire will be paid from the twenty percent group shares?"
She smiles at the human. "I suspect the treasure I find will be wisdom, ultimately. Time and perhaps Dreams will tell. A kata? What is that?"
"I can loan you 20gp Vekaessena, although I think you'll find prices are higher here than normal."
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"I have but three silver and eleven copper, I will need a silver to pay the filing fee and three copper for the endorsement. You welcome to the rest."
I empty my coinpouch onto the table, pulling back the four coins I needs, I slides the rest into the pile in the center of the table.
"I Do have a pair of blank spellbooks as well as appropriate scribing tools if any of you have need or can use the pages the scribe scrolls with, I have used six pages from one for that purpose to pay for my travel here. It was a vary vary long journey. I am not aware of that, but if I cross it in my studies I will remember the name.
As Malbrighka goes to place her hand upon my forearm I hold my breath, not knowing what to expect, a flowerwoman is touching me, does that make me an adult now? That's what the man she threw out said when I followed him to ask him what it was like inside. Its not what I expected at all, the touch is soft, gentle it reminds me of Teacher. err Darter that was his Name. I look up at Malbrighka, meeting your eyes for the first time.
"Do not judge me to harshly, before coming this, this Venture Town, I have only spoken with Teacher, err with ahh Darter for the past 18 years. It took me that long to be able to mask the magical aura of an Everburning Torch." I reach my free hand on top of Malbrighka's and in a firmer voice. "BUT I DID IT! HA a Dwarven Wizard of the Universalist School, I know only a few tricks, but plan on leaning many more."
"One never knows what the future holds. I have spoken with one of the scribes, who has promised me a job if my penmanship is not flawed. He told me of a man, born here, went down on his own, came back up the next day with something. he now owns the moneylenders, all of them. I don't Expect that to happen, but if it should. I think its better to plan for it then be surprised and prattle like dwarves who's beards haven't grown in yet."
"yes if we hire any one or purchase anything for the company it would come from the companies part of the funds. Unless you want to hire your own bodyguard for your flowers when you are away, that would be up to You or the, not us. Same if Vekaessena wishes a sage to find out about her ways. Or I want to hire a tracker to find the human darterson I seek. Or Garrett wants to do whatever a churchperson would do."
It matters not to me what we call ourselves. One of you decide. I am wise enough to know that I am not worldly enough to lead us or decide things like that. But I will be good as an advisor, I have spent the past couple decades learning to write and speak a dwarf, human, dragon or giant. I can make a decent living as a scribe in this place. That will grant me access to the libraries and eventually the occult ones. This I will offer as my services while in town. That and scrolls are always a good way to make coin. I watched someone pay three gemstones, that were clearly blue diamonds, to another for a scroll of Light. of Light - clearly neither were appraisers, but If that the manner of things here. One could become vary wealthy almost overnight."
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(( Malbrighka: [u]The player is aware[/u], Farrin however.. In human age he was captured at 11 by the fire giants. freed at age 20. spent from then till 33 learning to be a wizard. that was a month ago, when he left to come here. 1 Human year = 2.66 Dwarf years Farrin is in a Big/Tom Hanks situation until he gets some street sense/non-book experience. The man you threw out of the geisha house said you were all whores at the house when farrin asked why he got kicked out. Farrin missunderstoond him to mean that geishas are all whores, just the better class of them. Think of him as an 82 year old virgin. not dumb, just vary vary naive
Vek listens respectfuly while Farrin relays his tale and smiles at his offer of coin. She explains to Malbrighka that katas are a series of movements that constitute a form, a habitual training that embeds the form into the individual's mind and body.
"The Draining Ways are a dark and horrific practice, but there lies great power within its deeper mysteries. Often gaunt and dark of mien, those who possess its knowledge are often accomplished at deceit and subterfuge. There is a rumor that onesuch descended within below caverns, but the rumors insist he stayed below of his own accord."
Garrett frowns, "We may be a bit short of gold to armor you Vekaessena. Perhaps we would be better off hunting down the bandits who robbed you and recover your gear."
"I would not dissuade you from that task kind Garrick. It was after all, here in Venture Town. And not more than a few hours past. They may however have already found a willing fence, perhaps even one of the very Ketiamiri I spoke of - my armor was quite distinctive.
Five there were, and one, the ringleader is a most handsome Aasimar who plied me with many questions outside my room at the Darque Veil. His offsider was a human, likewise handsome - they seemed very interested in learning of the Draining Ways, at least until I heard the commotion in my room.
Upon entry, with the scoundrels at my back taking flight, I discovered their compatriots - a half-orc and two tieflings, the former half-out the window with my armor, the latter two baring larger fangs than is considered polite among humanoids, even their half-orc ally. They immediately set upon me. If it were not for the timely arrival of some neighboring tenants my life would be forfeit. Unfortunately all escaped.
I do have a clear picture of all of them in my mind, and the names, or at least names I was given of the handsome duo - Gelhine and Kharik."
Vek sighs, somewhat crestfallen upon the completion of her tale.
"If lady Malbrighka and mas... honored Farrin do not wish to traipse about the sordid underworld of rakes and vagabonds in search of my lost belongings and pursuing a fairly private vendetta, I completely understand. The possible profit of a much more tacit, physical underworld awaits after all."
"Well, is there a tracker among us? No? It seems we're ill equipped for the task." Garrett says regretfully. "Let's check with the merchants and see what we can afford. Hopefully we will be able to earn enough to better equip you as we go. Is there any other equipment we'll need before we set out Malbrighka?"
I know we need 200' of rope, was there anything else Malbrighka might know of?
It's pitch dark, so those of you without darkvision will need light sources. People usually bring food and supplies to make camp since you often need to stay down there for days or weeks to find a good cache of treasure. Any other equipment that aids in exploration or survival in an underground environment is also useful.
If the criers on the streets are to be believed it's suicide, literal suicide, to go down into the Gilded Hole without comprehensive, certified, non-discriminatory, resurrection insurance.
Vek considers the pros and cons of a fool's errand.
"Well perhaps I should merely use Garrett's 20 gold to purchase some Hide Armor and adventuring gear. Unless the group needs it..."
"Does everyone have rations? I've got 7 days worth of rations and 50' of rope."
Vek, normally confident and in control looks wan and ashamed.
"I have...nothing. My clothing. My blade... this is all."
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Farrin Gestures to the pack and sack on the ground next to him."My kind have the ability to see, even read and write in total darkness. We were shaped by The Maker to live underground, as such I am perfectly able handle the darkness. I have no rope, nor rations. I do have a full set of my weaponsmithing tools, as I said a couple blank spell books, a score of these watertight scroll cases each filled with a paper of pieces of paper, my pens, inks. I am not by profession an explorer, but my leathers should hold up fine enough down there."
"If we are to go though. I really must find winsow, son of Darter. IF there is a good chance we are going to die, I Must give him his father, my teachers, final message. I can not in good faith do otherwise, for I am bound by Darter's Last Will and request of me. Were it not for Darter, this dwarf would still be chained to the anvil."
"As you offered to find my aggressors, I offer to help you find this Winslow son of Darter person. Though I am unsure of what aid I can provide."
"He's in town? I was under the impression he had gone below. We can ask around. We're going to have to do some shopping anyway."