The Narrow House


The Exchange

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The Exchange

Say, have you heard? There's a weird elf can fix you up with what you need to make a few coin, so long as you got no human blood. Transportation, tips where to pinch or dig, alchemical gear or special orders, riddles about spells and the planes if you need such answered. Pays in southern gems he does. Look for a thin high house in the Wise Quarter, but don't go down past the first basement. There are rats.

Hurricane's limestone Townhouse wedges between two other buildings in three storeys above ground, three below, each with a single room off a narrow spiral stone stair. He has had the interiors stripped back and relined in austere and alien designs of dark stone. The rooms' nooks and angles hold more objects than at first it seems, including multiple tall, spindly furniture pieces of pale, strangely-angled metal.

The Exchange

After hearing the rumor of the fixer, the Aasimar huffs a bit and frowns.

"What is it with everyone being so shady in the exchange? I was led to believe that Trade Prince Aaqir al'Hakam wanted honest merchants in his organization. He IS the leader of the exchange right? I mean, here I am, trying to run an honest caravan of magical wands and scrolls, and everyone sees that I'm exchange and assumes I'm trying to cheat them!

"And now I hear about THIS bigoted jerk. No human blood? Really? I guess he won't be getting any of my business, not that I'd want to deal with someone so disreputable anyway. It's like I joined a band of thieves, not a trade guild!"

The Aasimar looks exasperated at any in the immediate area, like she can't believe her lot in life.

The Exchange

The human question: Why not?

Forever you want what is withheld from your grasp.

Forever you seek out whoever will make a exception for you.

Anyone.

Anyone.

I choose not to explain myself. My purpose is beneficial, I think.

It must proceed through those whose motives I can fathom.

To human self-belief, I find no bed.

The Exchange

Ah yes. I have not regretted my journey to Absalom. It is most congenial. The Pathfinders pay on time and it is always a pleasure to work with a crew of professionals.

The Exchange

Silver hears the tale and ventures inside, more interested in the occupant than in his wares.

The Exchange

The fellow called Hurricane is tall and slender, even for an elf. He gains at least another foot from a polished mask of geometric forms without any close suggestion of a face. Two colourless ioun stones orbit the mask. He speaks with a noticeable accent, neither of Kyonin nor Taldane. Some might place it as .. Varisian.

Be welcome, esteemed colleague. Allow me to call for wine from the cellar, and let us speak of the oddities of foreign shores, for I perceive you are not without travels of your own.

After a rather long succession of rising footsteps, a ratfolk appears to serve drinks. Hurricane instructs him in a civil tone, but with a language of barks and yips.

The Exchange

Silver speaks only in elven, his elven chain armor immaculately cleaned. The silver metal obviously made in Kyonin bearing an insignia of house Talimah - the magical shadow.

He draws two crystal glasses from a side pouch on his pack. Then a bottle of fey wine in an elegant decanter from the central compartment. He lays his sword oddly across the table before sitting.

Greeting to one of the people. I rarely find someone to speak with as I will no longer speak Taldane, except in the direst of emergencies. Luckily my sword speaks their language well enough to afford me that luxury. I am honored to be in this place, my name is Silvanus Talimah.

The Exchange

Magic is convenient. Still, sometimes one must be adaptable. He touches a point on his shoulder unconsciously, as if remembering a former pain.

The Exchange

Some talk, when they speak a-purpose, of politics or religion. I prefer to reflect on the moments I've seen. The sun setting over the ocean among many islands. A view from a high place across great forests rising and falling, coursing with strong beasts, in a wind from the northern ice. Golarion is not always comfortable in her glories.

The Exchange

Silvanus taps the sword, it speaks in Taldane. Silver smiles.

"Greetings! My glorious master Silver greets you. Please direct all non elven inquires to me and I will happily represent him in this social encounter."

Silver continues in elven, "Thank you." Then pauses and resumes his conversation. "I am not speaking in riddles in this case, I found an intelligent blade. I've identified several command words in elven which he can recognize easily. My own methods of combat follow those of the Arcane Archer, yet my methods are different than the classical schooling."

"I see you bear an old wound." Silver pours himself a half glass of fey wine setting the decanter back to the middle of the table.

The Exchange

Hurricane has been speaking in elven also, though his less than classical accent persists in that language too. They are healed. Still, the pain was quite memorable - a considerable amount of burning tar. The turn of conversation recalled it to my mind. A few experiences have conveyed to me not to rely entirely for any one thing on enchantments that may, in rare places and times, behave unexpectedly. A commonplace, I'm sure.

Your weapon is most accomplished. I congratulate you on your find. In Common I thank you, Master Sword, and ask your patience if we converse without you.

In Elven Our people have the time to explore more than one path and in the end, find a unique way. I favour the curve blade myself.

The Exchange

The people follow their hearts. It is an admirable item, it even grants its enchantment to other weapons.. an odd ability and one most foes are not prepared for.

I have fallen once in combat. I range disarmed a devastating foe, and his entire band turned on me ignoring the other Pathfinders in my unit. The enemy died handily, but I was moments away from Pharasma's arms...

One of the human barbarians observed my "theft of their leaders weapon ignited an unholy rage, which once spent left them helpless as babes"

The Exchange

I see the dusk has fallen. You weren't in a hurry to be anywhere? I jest.

Have you formed an opinion of Kreighton's late experiment with the Numerian device? The implications fascinate, even as they trouble me.

The Exchange

Shaine's been off in Absolom too long, more human than elf.

The humans are short lived, their use of magic and the unknown employs little caution. Rather than should their question is always can for every situation. This world would be better off in elven hands, but we ask should overmuch rather than can... and lose the initiative.

I seek a healthy medium of the two. I expect his activity to succeed in miserable failure, perhaps if we all live there can be some form of learning involved.

The Exchange

Hurricane pauses a moment, gazing from his mask, perhaps at a detail of Silver's courtly armour. Our people are not blameless, but we have at least the advantages of perspective and study. On the whole what you propose might be an improvement. His tone is light, as if taking the statement as an idle quip.

The Exchange

You wear a mask, would you be from the spire?

Does something interest you? My attire although somewhat dated was crafted in Kyonin. I make an attempt to purchasae as many items as I may while I am there, and sell lightweight luxury goods here in Absolom. I don't make much, but it brightens the lives of those away from home.

I also craft my own arrows, it is best not to chance one's life to another's skill.

The Exchange

Yes. I perceive you know of our responsibility.

I meant no offense. Forgive the manners of a sailor. It seems an admirable line of business, and no bad thing that the craft of Kyonin is known among humankind's cities.

The Exchange

You have many enigmas. A sailor's life, a Mordant mask, a cryptic rumor regarding assistance. I wonder what lies behind these riddles.

The Exchange

Is my behaviour enigmatic? It doesn't seem complex at the depths, though it may be better that some ambiguity persists. There are those who might consider open favour as interference, even as dangerous independence.

I'm happy to lend my experience to ventures that seem likely to advance a tendency of merit. I must maintain my own opinion which operations most deserve my time.

The Exchange

A halfling dressed in what looks like sports equipment saunters into the narrow house with a broken lacrosse stick. He briefly looks around but sees no one.

Perception or Craft(Weapons)DC 15:
It is actually a halfling sling-staff.

"Dude! Anyone here? Man, I totally biffed it on the field today. Some nerdy mage or whatever cast a spell to totally shatter muh stick. I needed a new one anyway. Some guy said this place could get me one? Like, could I get a good one? Like the new top-of-the line ones or something? Like, can anyone hook a brah up!?"

The Exchange

Peeking around the corner of the stairs leading down

Oh sir! If you'll let me show it to my clan, I'm sure they'll have all sorts of ideas to make it better than new!

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
A 2nd level wizard and a bunch of alchemists are not actually very good at fixing things, but they can probably replace it in all sorts of unique materials, or Hurricane can work a few contacts

The Exchange

Oo! What about camelopard bone? Nice and straight and strong. We could apply some reagents to it and get a bit of magic bound in to toughen it up.

Mimic fibres should be able to fix it too

The Exchange

Junior Yekai wrote:

Oo! What about camelopard bone? Nice and straight and strong. We could apply some reagents to it and get a bit of magic bound in to toughen it up.

Mimic fibres should be able to fix it too

Jad's face shows both shock and excitement.

"An animal-bone stick Brah!? That's super wicked!"
He pauses for a second before his face shifts to one of disappointment.
"Actually brah, I don't think I can. My dad's been on me ever since that 'incident' last semester. I'm not supposed to spend so much of his money. Don't think I can afford any magic stuff on my staff. Better just get me an old fashioned one-but like, high end. From one of them high-end stick-makers brah."

The Exchange

Silver looks at the newcomers and taps his sword.

"Greetings! My glorious master Silver greets you. Please direct all non elven inquires to me and I will happily represent him in this social encounter."

The Exchange

Jad Fizzlebeef wrote:
He briefly looks around but sees no one.

The angles and acoustics in here certainly are confusing.

The Exchange

Silvanus Talimah wrote:

Silver looks at the newcomers and taps his sword.

"Greetings! My glorious master Silver greets you. Please direct all non elven inquires to me and I will happily represent him in this social encounter."

"Oh, well I don't know if it's Elven or not brah. Like, an elf could make my stick, I dunno, I don't judge. Whatevs though, whatever you want."

The Exchange

The sword continues, "Please bring the device closer and state the nature of your carpentry emergency."

Silver shifts the sword back to its shoulder sheath giving room for the weapon.

The Exchange

The Halfling looks a bit frustrated and repeats his request.

"Look brah, some nerdy Mage hit mah stick with some spell. . . Shatter? I think? Anyway, took me out during the big game. Ref totally didn't card him, supes lame. Anyway I need a new one, maybe one a bit better built so that it won't biff it so hard in our rematch with them next week"

The Halfling holds up his lacrosse stick wich doubles as a Halfling sling staff.

The Exchange

Silver nods approvingly. He withdraws a small bundle and unwraps a tree limb. He pauses, then says in elven "Thank you."

He continues in Taldane, "I admire a hidden weapon in plain sight. This material is darkwood, twice the strength of your prior weapon. It can be fashioned by a woodsmith of your choice or I can do the work myself. In either event you should lay an enchantment to further protect the weapon."

The Exchange

Silvanus Talimah wrote:

Silver nods approvingly. He withdraws a small bundle and unwraps a tree limb. He pauses, then says in elven "Thank you."

He continues in Taldane, "I admire a hidden weapon in plain sight. This material is darkwood, twice the strength of your prior weapon. It can be fashioned by a woodsmith of your choice or I can do the work myself. In either event you should lay an enchantment to further protect the weapon."

"Oh, brah, that's off the chain, man. Brah, I gotta have it! Can't afford any magic yet, mah ol' man is bein' tight with the money ever since. . . Well, he's bein' tight. I'll slap some magic on it as soon as he loosens up though. Thanks for hookin' a bro up, brah!"

The Exchange

The elf snaps his fingers. The sword speaks.

"My glorious master has offered a solution. Are you prepared to negotiate the terms of payment?"

The Exchange

Silvanus Talimah wrote:

The elf snaps his fingers. The sword speaks.

"My glorious master has offered a solution. Are you prepared to negotiate the terms of payment?"

"Oh, right"

The Halfling pulls out a small ledger from his backpack and flips through it for a second.

Take 10 profession merchant, +2 for masterwork tool=17

Beats DC 15

"Looks like the going rate for a dark wood Lacrosse stick for halflings made by a master craftsman, that's you brah, is around 335 gold, sound about right?" without waiting for approval, he dips his hand into his pockets and pulls out 33 platinum pieces and 5 gold, and hands it over.

The Exchange

Silver nods. He taps on the table three times.

The sword speaks, "Glorious news, we have a contract. We will accept your indicated sum three weeks hence. We shall hold the broken item and the material during the crafting process. You may examine the process three times over the course of crafting, the shop is located beyond the western wall of Absolom in the Eben Glade."

The Exchange

"Oh, uh, sure. I'll get a replacement stick from the team equipment locker until then. Uhhh, I'll be back at Albastrane by then, so could you ship it to me when it's done? Here is an extra 10 gp for shipping, and here's the address. I'll leave the money with you, yah seem cool brah."

He scribbles down an address for the elf and drops another platinum on the table.

The Exchange

Sure! That's darkwood all right. I've seen Uncle use darkwood ash to make spirit of glass.

The ratfolk and Hurricane talk for a few moments in Gnoll. Junior scampers off

The Exchange

Your business prospers, Silver. My associates have new ideas to stir their agile minds. I recall even the god of humanity had words in praise of peaceable trade.

Hurricane bows politely and speaks to Jad in Taldane You are most welcome here. I hope you are well satisfied with this resolution. Would you care for a glass of wine?

The Exchange

Hurricane165907 wrote:

Your business prospers, Silver. My associates have new ideas to stir their agile minds. I recall even the god of humanity had words in praise of peaceable trade.

Hurricane bows politely and speaks to Jad in Taldane You are most welcome here. I hope you are well satisfied with this resolution. Would you care for a glass of wine?

Will save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Beats DC 5

"Oh, brah, I'd really like to, like, a lot, but it'd just kill my gains brah. Gotta bulk up for the next game right? Coach says I need more power behind my shots. Thanks though brah, if it was the off season I'd totally take you up on that."

Scarab Sages

A bumblebee-like buzz sounds from the street outside, shortly followed by the door sweeping open. A dark-robed halfling strides in and directly up to the masked elf, speaking curtly in a tone only for his ears:

Perception DC 10:
"Master Hurricane. A mutual friend asks me to make contact with one of your household, a citizen of Nex."

The Exchange

My house is open as ever to honoured guests. Please, remain if you wish and call for what you would like. You will be heard.

Perception DC 26:
One of the odd pieces of gadgetry on the shelves about the place twitches slightly. It appears to represent some sort of insect constructed in brass.

Hurricane and the newcomer walk off down the stairs.

The Exchange

Silver pulls a pen, ink, and paper from his traveling haversack. Writes a note, weighs it down with a silver coin, and departs.

Hurricane - sorry for leaping into the fray. Carpentry ... wooden weaponcraft is a specialty and I couldn't resist. The proceeds (minus expenses) of the sale will naturally revert to you. Good business to you.

Silvanus Talimah

Scarab Sages

Spellcraft DC 24:
A pop of displaced air somewhere downstairs sounds very much like a teleportation effect going off. A few seconds pass, then the halfling's voice speaks words of magic, casting dimension door, with a similar noise as it takes effect.

Perception DC 21:
Something is different on the shelves of the ground floor room. The note and coin are gone from the table

The Exchange

The Society's lore of ioun stones is most intriguing. I am impatient to acquire a few of my own.

Sovereign Court

A regal-looking Tengu opens the door and FLOATS into the Narrow House, a few inches above the ground. He looks around the less-than-noble level of finery and gives a slight scowl before taking a deep breath and returning to an emotionless demeanor.

"Excuse me? I was led to believe that I could find . . . items meant for those with, shall we say, refined tastes here? I . . . may have been lead astray." He gives another half-sneer before catching himself and again reseting his demeanor.

"Hello? Does the eldest prince of the most prominent clan of Kwanlai not even warrant attention?"

The Exchange

The dignity of Kwanlai is known even to these far shores.

My hope is to provide practical assistance to they who seek to improve their circumstances. Items exotic and refined often prove valuable in particular difficulties. What is it that you envisage?

Sovereign Court

Hurricane165907 wrote:

The dignity of Kwanlai is known even to these far shores.

My hope is to provide practical assistance to they who seek to improve their circumstances. Items exotic and refined often prove valuable in particular difficulties. What is it that you envisage?

The Tengu notices the man walk up and adjusts himself to face him accordingly.

"Ah, yes, good. Ahem. Thank you, My name is Kamihane Taiicho, Eldest prince of the Kamehane clan of Kwanlai. Thank you."

The tengu gives a slight, Tien-styled bow.

Knowledge Local or Nobility, DC 20:

The bow is of appropriate size for a Nobleman of Taiicho supposed stature towards a highly respected person not of royal blood.

"I am in search of a . . . hmmm, I do not know the name of this item in Taldane. It is a rod of a most splendid nature. It can create fine clothes that cannot be stolen, and can, on occasion, create feasts for at least a hundred Teng- uh, that is to say one hundred people. Also, I am told it should enhance my ability to convince maligned spirits to leave people alone, as well as aid in more . . . shall we say, mundane negotiations."

Knowledge Arcana DC 27, or Spellcraft DC 27:
Taiicho is describing a Rod of Splendor

The Exchange

take 10

The masked elf bows in return with an austere but respectful manner.

Sense Motive DC 20:
A keen sense of timing might give the suspicion that, while respectful, his gesture is tinged with irony: he seems to understand and accept the precise degree of politeness Taiicho has offered.

I have indeed seen reference to construction of such implements. The potentates of humanity have favoured them, as one might anticipate.

Hurricane straightens to his full height and draws his dark cloak around himself with a somewhat dramatic gesture. As the light and shadow fall upon his features more starkly, an indefinable quality of purpose and force seems to gather about him

Knowledge (arcana) 30 to answer a really tough question

I believe I can name you a wizard of what is called the Age of Enthronement who was said to have possessed such a device, though it was not heard of after his interment. An investigation of his tomb, treasuries or other associated sites might be of interest to you.

Sovereign Court

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25
The Tengu furrows his brow a bit, but then straightens up.

"Ah, good, you've heard of it. I have not doubt that many others, including Humans, may have made use of such devices. Why, I've even heard of a pirate using one as a peg-leg, if you can believe it.

Hmmm, well, I was rather hoping you'd have one for sale, or could to point me in the direction of a master craftsman who could enchant one. I doubt the pathfinders will spare me for the months it would take to track down this Wizard's rod, if it even still exists. Still, thank you for the lead, it is, as they say 'you can't always get what you want.'

Oh, and please do me one more, tiny favor. The . . . Inner Sea court system is not as-well, let us say it is different than the one in Kwanlai. I would appreciate lessons in proper etiquette on this side of Golarion if it is necessary. It would be useful in dealing with unknown nobles. Perhaps you could set me up with an instructor?"

bluff to send a secret message: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
Bluff FAILED! You think Taiicho was trying to get some point across, but what it was is lost to you.

BTW, knowledge Arcana check to identify a magic item by witnessing it is DC 15+caster level. Rod of Splendor is DC 12, 12+15=27. That's where I got the DC from.

The Exchange

Perfectly reasonable - it's a rare item. Before levelling the character properly or activating any boons, Hurricane has at least +19 to Knowledge (arcana)

Many things are possible in the great city of Absalom and the lands where Pathfinders wander. With some consideration, I suggest the Arcanamirium might take an interest in such a project. It has been some time since I spoke with the Archdean, but I hope she will remember me a little. I'd be happy to attempt an introduction. Of course if Taiicho also has some influence with Lady Darchana, we could combine our social efforts

The etiquette of these lands seems a useful study, which I must admit I have neglected. Two possibilities come to mind for expertise in such matters. Would you feel comfortable dealing with the hetaerae of Calistria, or with diplomats of Cheliax?

Come to think of it, Riddleport .. no, I think not, the salon of Absalom should have more experience in what you wish.

Sovereign Court

"Sadly, no. The Kami speak directly to me, allowing me to tap into the divine magics of the universe. Thus I do not run in arcane circles, though I suppose This shows why I should start. Nevertheless, no, I dare say I have had no dealings with the Arcamanariam nor its professorship"

The Exchange

You should not feel diffidence. I found her approachable, though she does not suffer fools.

Still, a project of such magnitude need not begin hastily.

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