Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
"So," Volita starts, taking out her notes. "With our greater mobility, what would you say is the greater emphasis in the local market? And would you want anything from where we are going to?"
Connor started to say something, but a crewmember from the Elephant made a rather raucous question about the local brothels. "Excuse me, I have some ship's disciple to hand down." Connor muttered through gritted teeth, moving away.
While Volita and Rinalda talked, Connor was seen dressing down the bosun, who about-faced, grabbed a certain winged loudmouth, and proceeded downdecks with the miscreant. Connor explained to the crew how they would all be staying at the Red Parrot Inn's top floor for the time being, as the Vagabond Elepant would be undergoing repairs. Several questions shot out at once, and Connor spent more time answering them.
Flann leaves the innkeeper with a gold coin for his trouble, trusting the coin to gloss over any perceived rudeness as he leaves to retrieve his stash of coin. He'll leave some behind as an emergency fund, but he's off to go shopping, and he'll need to ensure the arms dealer is impressed. He'll take the innkeeper's advice, and move his things into the nicer room.
Flan gathers up his hoard of 1600 gp, and heads off to the merchant quarter with a heavy pack.
Returning, it's near sundown, and many places are closing up. However, the big squat building that the guide had told them was Segren's is brightly lit, both inside and outside. Indeed, the roof, the walls, all of it is lit by permanent light globes, each throwing off 20 ft of light, and each 15 ft apart. Not a single shadow exists on either the roof or sides of the building. Anyone trying to climb the roof unseen would need to be invisible.
The southern entrance is flanked by imposing guards in full plate, chain, with obviously deadly weapons. Neither wears a helmet, allowing them to keep their heads moving and watching their surroundings. When Flann comes up, one of the guards eyes him, assessing threats, and then as Flann approaches the door, the guard raises one finger to his brow. "Evening sir, welcome to Segren's. May I ask your name and what you're shopping for before you enter?" The gray haired human asks politely, in common, then switches to Halfling, asking the same thing, and continues to ask in multiple languages until he get's a response in a language.
"Flann Swallowtail, here seeking a firearm: flintlock, matchlock... a black powder weapon like a sling on steroids- steroids are, uhm... Never mind. I'm looking for a very powerful crossbow." If his rifle is still on him, he'll indicate it as an example.
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The guard nods. "Yes sir, third floor, east end, weapons department." He waves you on through the door.
Stepping into the the shop is a bit like stepping into another world. There are a few dozen customers walking around, talking to sales people, and every where Flann looks there are very expensive items. There's also guards all over the place, all in very nice and servicable red and white armor. There's more guards than customers. At least 10 per floor.
Flann walks in past a section of the store with footware on the right, all of the footwear on shelves, prominently displayed and sorted by size. There are small mirrors canted on the floor so people can see what they look like wearing the footwear.
On the other side, there's a section of clothing, all very well tailored, and there are several obvious tailors there ready to make alterations while the customer waits.
The center of the building is open all they way up to the roof of the 3rd floor, and various things hang from the ceiling and a couple of small trees are growing in large pots in the center. Ornate rails keep people from falling off at each floor.
Walking up the stairs to the third floor, the entire third floor is nothing but weapons and armor. Each type of weapon is in a separate section. Near the bows (which are a huge section) is a small section in the corner with firearms.
The centerpiece of the firearms section is a massive multibarrel weapon with boilers built into it. It's big enough a giant could wield it two-handed, but anything smaller would require two people and a mount to use it.
A glass case has pistols of various designs. Flann sees an obvious Atalantian advanced pistol for sale, for 3000gp. Next to it is a 3-barrel scatter gun that's designed to be a two-handed weapo with cap & ball functionality, also Atalantian.
However, there are also non-Atalantian firearms. A case has two matched pistols of uknown design, each with a dragon motif. They are labeled 'Matched Dueling Pistols, Cap and Ball, Iskan Make, Enchanted Flaming and Enchanted Frost'.
On the wall is an Atalantian combination firearm. Two barrels, one rifle barrle, one scatter gun barrel, with a built in blade. Next to it is an Atalantian Blade-gun. And a second blade gun next to that one.
Another rifle of uknown origin is on the wall next to it. And a matching scatter gun of the same unknown source.
Finally, a very long sniper rifle of unknown origin sits in a glass case to one side.
Next to the firearms, between them and the bows, is a section of crossbows. Several that catch Flann's eye are :
An odd looking repeating light cross bow.
A double 'barrel' light cross-bow
An ornate dragon motif heavy cross bow
To the west of the firearms display, there are 6 guards guarding what looks like a large metal door with a ship's steering wheel made of metal in the center of it.
A woman in a red and white uniform is behind the counter, and smiles as Flann approaches. "Greetings Sir." She says in passable Atalantian. "We do not get many customers from the floating isles. What may I do for you?"
Entering the store puts Flann at ease. He had never liked being dragged out to go shopping, but at least now it was a place that reminded him of home. If there was anything left of his pocket money once h's secured a better firearm, he would certainly spend it, and the remainder of the night, finding some new clothes.
The ranged weapons collection was impressive. It was a minor disappointment to find so many Atalantian pieces, but it reinforced the concept that the art was rarer outside of his home nation. The Iskan pistols caught his attention for a time. What the plackcard meant by enchanted, Flann wasn't sure. He had heard of Gnomes, and the whispers of magic, but to see an enchanted firearm, something both familiar and foreign, put the hairs on his forearm on end.
Flann is startled when the salesperson greets him. "G-good evening! I am looking to find myself a firearm with superior range--I find myself quite relieved that you carry any firearms at all--and I did notice one weapon on my way in which may suit: the four-horned beast in black and brass? It has lens sights which provide magnification, suggesting it is intended for distant targets the naked eye may not be able to spot. It appears to have a revolving action, six shots, low caliber- a bit of a shame, but distance is really what I am looking for. What collateral would you ask for me to see it out of that case? I'm the small sort, and balance is very important." Spotting the tag on the pistol, he figures he could expect a precision rifle to be well outside of his current liquid assets. The salesperson's reaction here might help him to avoid an embarrassing misstep in haggling, if that behavior is expected here.
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The woman smiles. "Ah, yes, that is an Iskan Sniper Pistol. The weapon can be broken down into a pistol for daily use, and then upconverted into a rifle for the times you need range. We carry it in small, medium, and large sizes. That is, of course, the medium size. It is a cap and ball, although we could convert it to cartridge for a small charge. However, you may have trouble finding cartridges outside of your own country. The price for it is 3,000 gp, with a 300 gold charge to convert it to cartridge fire. We can let it go for 2,000 if you don't need the scope, but I strongly suggest keeping the scope in the package, as if you're using long range it helps greatly. If you wish to see it outside the glass, I can escort you to our firing range for a small fee of 15 gold and a 1000 gold piece deposit."
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With herculean effort, Volita suppresses her vexation as the lady seems to talk about everything except the things she asked about. Well this wasn't a library.
Although every answer lead to two more questions, she decided to try and keep it narrow.
"Okay, yes, but, what does the orcs in Ograga Magra want? Obviously we can make bank if we set ourselves up as a good delivery service with their glass, but do they themselves need anything?
And do the dwarves in the Feld Ranges export anything? It'd be nice if we could leave their with a full hold too. More efficient."
"Oh my, yes. That sounds quite agreeable. I'll continue using cap and ball, I'm no gunsmith myself. A shooting range, you say? Well, it would be quite irresponsible of me not to make use of your fine facilities, wouldn't it?" Flann is having a hard time keeping himself from drooling on the store's nice floors. He arranges for time at the range and for the purchase of the Sniper Pistol. "Have I mentioned I am with a trade vessel from Atalantia? We are working with the Regent to set up regular trade arrangements between our fine nations. Do you know if your establishment would look kindly on an offer for regular arms shipments? -not that other dross in the further aisles, but masterwork Atalantian firearms? It doesn not seem as though you receive much from anywhere else. We could probably secure you the pieces at two thirds what you're selling them here, if you only want a few models- lower if you fine folk would like a bulk rate..."
The Elephant bought rare wood for 1403
The Elephant bought common wood for 1025.60
The Regent's Assayer hands Connor a receipt for the wood, the receipt breaks the wood down by individual type, durability, and size. However, he was nice enough to sub-total it. The sub-totals are :
Rare Woods Value : 381.5 platinum
Common Woods Value : 211.2 platinum
Total Value : 592.7 platinum
20% Bonus* : 118.5 platinum, 4 gold
Total Payout : 711.2 platinum, 4 gold
A note at the bottom of the receipt reads : Acceptance of these funds is acknowledgement that the City of Massiarin has contracted specific duties with the owner of the ship. Failure to perform these duties will result in default of the funds, which will be reclaimed via any means the Regent deems acceptable, up to and including forfeiture of soul, or more stringent punishments.
Hmm, he's looking good for his age, I see he has the same sense of humor. A voice echoes in his head. I would make sure not to fail not that you've taken his coin dear. He's very scrupulous about being fair. There's nothing more dangerous than double crossing a scrupulously fair man.
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"Oh, the orcs like food, in bulk. Anything they can't get in the desert. Cattle are especially liked, sheep, horses, cats, dogs, chickens. If you can get them meat, they'll buy it morning, noon, and night. They may be civilized Orcs but they're still more carnivore than anything else." She answers when the question of what the Orcs want comes up, giving Volita a look like she's asked if water is wet. "And of course, weapons, lots of weapons."
When Volita asks about the dwarves, she actually stops, and narrows her eyes at Volita. "Are you playing games or something? I'm not here to entertain you telling you what thumb suckers know." When it becomes apparent Volita really doesn't know, she rubs her temple. "Wow, you're traders? No traders like I ever met. Ok, sorry, thought you were playin' yank the yokel's hair. Anyway, dwarves sell what dwarves always sell. Metals, weapons, armor, gems. Oh, and songs about gold, those they give you for free. They usually go something like 'GOLD GOLD GOLD GLORIOUS GOLD GOLD GOLD GOLD GLORIOUS GOLD'. Sometimes it's Platinum, or silver, but usually gold."
The woman smiles. "Certainly sir, if you'd like to follow me, I can take you to the range immediately." She waves for another clerk to take over for her, and then walks Flann down to the eastern end of the building, where the giant metal door with the ship's steering wheel bolted to it is. The guards immediately go on alert.
"I have a gentleman who wishes to go to the range."
One of the guards nods, and pulls a large crate with handles on it from a stack. "All equipment and gear in the crate. No magical or supernatural equipment beyond this point. No weapons beyond this point."
While Flann is divesting himself of everything he can , the woman answers the other part of his question. "Yes, I had heard rumors that the Regent had set up an account for a Kotelian ship. And your wings of course give it away. I'm afraid negotiations for cargo are not within my perview, but I can certainly alert someone in management that your ship is expressing interest in providing cargo. I'm certain there will be interest."
Flann quickly removes his rifle, bandoliers, armor... and pauses to consider the technicality of "supernatural equipment" while carefully assessing his clothes. "Idon'twanttocauseanytroubleorbeexcessivelypedanticbut... my clothes don't do anything, but I am not sure if their means of manufacture are something you would consider natural. Honestly, though, I think that's everything... to the best of my understanding of your requirements." There's a pause before Flann remembers to smile.
"I would not mind wearing less if that would make you feel more secure, I just do not want to cross any unmentioned taboo. I have not seen any naked individuals since we landed... I believe I would have noticed." He looks around the corner as if one might present themselves.
Two of the guards each hold up an lens to one eye, and look Flann up and down. Finally both nod. "Nothing on him is registring ma'am. He's cleared."
The sales woman nods, and two guards spin the metal wheel on the door, and the sounds of clockwork turning and banging in the door can be heard.
Finally, the door opens and reveals a long hallway. The sales woman leads Flann into the hallway, and the door locks behind them. After a few steps, Flann realizes his mental network is not working anymore.
The hallway is about 500 ft long, and there are small slits along the way, big enough to cast spells or launch arrows through. At the other end, another door with guards, and then a room with a desk and another person, who takes Flann's deposit.
Then a long walk through what seems like an underground complex, with one of the guards following along behind. Finally they walk into an underground firing range. Someone has already set up a small version of the sniper-pistol on the range, and set a dozen cartridges next to it.
Picking them up, the sales woman shows that there are two types of cartridges. "This gun accepts two types of rounds. The longer one is for using it as a rifle or sniper rifle. If you fire it from the gun when it's broken down into a pistol, the rounds won't stabilize before leaving the barrel, and it becomes highly inaccurate. If you fire the pistol round from the weapon when it's in rifle or sniper mode, the bullet will not travel nearly as far, but it will be more accurate than the pistol mode. Ideally, you should buy another cylinder for 300gp, and have one cylinder pre-loaded with rifle rounds, and one with pistol rounds, for best performance."
She shows Flann how to take it apart and put it back together, a process that takes about 5 minutes each. It comes with a wooden case with felt lining that holds all the parts. Putting it back together, she then allows Flann to fire it at targets on the wall.
Total Payout : 711.2 platinum, 4 gold
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
Connor "heard" the mental warning concerning the Regent and his Assayer. I'm a Humavian of his word, Tenfa. he thought back. I've already told the Regent we're going straight back home, with only a lizardman or a flight of dragons stopping us. If the Regent thinks we've absconded with his payment, he can check the bottom of the ocean first, followed by Grimjowl's ship.
Connor wondered how fast they could get the Elephant back to Atalantia. Before the islands were too close to the Hole in the World.
Now for pay...Connor paused and calculated. 19 people at .3 for 90 days...would be 513 gold pieces. The Red Parrot would cost the most, at 25 people per day, 2 gp per day, but 50 gp a day wouldn't bankrupt him unless it took more than six days to repair the Elephant.
7116 gold pieces minus the sailor's pay and housing equaled 6,303 gold pieces. 1,575.75 gold pieces each for the 'tel Mintakia agents on this job. But if the Vagabond Elephant was going to go home with a profit, Connor realized that they needed to remember what the floating islands, and especially Atalanta, wanted. They needed to make it back with just enough gold to pay the sailors, tariffs, and a hold full of cargo that Alsatia von Mythvida would respect. In that case, they needed cannon, not cargo. And a certain lizardman's head.
Connor sighed, wishing he had correspond, which would make his job a lot easier. Until it was time to build a shrine on Atalantius. And maybe Antalus.
Don't know that I'll use the pistol much, but it's good to have, and the scope is fantastic. I'll take it and the spare cylinder.
"Certainly sir, additionally, we have several other options for the weapon." She takes a sales case from a shelf in the back of the firing range, and opens it up. She hold's up an odd contraption with bullets in it. "We call these Rapid Loaders, you pre-load them with either pistol or rifle rounds, and then just pop them into the empty cylinder." She demonstrates by taking a medium sized pistol like yours, flipping the cylinder open with one hand, tilting the gun to drop the spent casings, then shoves the other bullets in with one firm thrust, tilts the gun down, and flips the cylinder closed while removing the metal frame, all in one smooth motion. She brings the pistol up and fires 6 rounds in rapid succession at the target 80 ft away.
One of the rounds fails to fire, and she frowns at the gun. "I will need to have a talk with our cartridge department. Regardless of this, the rapid loaders are 50 gold pieces each, and can save you in a protracted combat."
Continuing on, ever the professional, she pulls another device from the sales kit. "If you plan on using the rifle more than the pistol, you might like this attachment. It's a Leg Mount. It attaches to the rifle under the barrel, and provides additional stability when firing at long range." She holds up another one, this one with 'legs' that are 2.5 feet long. "This version allows you to use the rifle anywhere for long range while squatting instead of laying down. This negates the need to be prone while firing at long distances." She demonstrates both on a sales rifle. "The Leg Mount is 100 gold for the short legs, and 250 gold for the long legs."
Leaving the range 3565gp lighter, Flann heads back to the Inn. He can't carry both rifles, so he's arranged for the sniper pistol to be delivered in the morning.
Strolling inside, he looks around for any of his shipmates so he can brag about his (likely misguided) purchases.
Leaving the range 3565gp lighter, Flann heads back to the Inn. He can't carry both rifles, so he's arranged for the sniper pistol to be delivered in the morning.
Strolling inside, he looks around for any of his shipmates so he can brag about his (likely misguided) purchases.
When Connor reaches Flann, he has his old rifle disassembled on a table, and is trying to teach Spike how to use it. Flann catches a glimpse of Connor and says, over his shoulder, "I was trying to find a way to tell you that I don't let other people touch my food, but in a polite way? This is what I settled on. Great shopping if you have the coin. Salesfolk could sell fire to an ifrit." There's a pause. "Are Ifrit real too?"
"There are all kinds of horrors on the Surface. I haven't been on an extradimensional expedition yet." Connor replied. He looked over the table's contents. "I think as ship's Captain I'd better keep my coin ready to pay the shipwrights." Connor looked at Flann. "See any affordable light cannon we could mount on the Elephant?" he asked, his voice hopeful.
As the group gradually wanders back to the inn, the sun sets, and the city barely slows down, at least near the docks. The local bars and taverns shiver their timbers with music and loud (and off key) singing by the locals. The sound feels somehow stretched out and thin, as if it should have more voices than it does in it, likely due to the fleet being out.
As they are wrapping up their evening meal, a familiar face knocks on the doorway to announce themselves.
"My pardon, Captain McIntyre. If I might have a few moments of your time." She says, one eyebrow raised.
"The Regent had the thought that you might, being unable to do aught else, while your ship is being repaired, and because the early estimates are looking expensive, like to find some side work. The Regent would like to offer you a... job.. that is something that he cannot give to a local. Unfortunately, it is something of a mystery, even I do not know what the job is. I've been told to inform you that it is highly dangerous, but also lucrative, commensurate to it's danger." She pulls a sealed scroll case made of dark blue leather out of her haversack. "If you wish to take the job, you are to take this scroll case, and proceed north to the oasis and open it under the full moon tomorrow night. Further instructions will be inside." She then pulls a smaller sealed scroll case, this one made of burgundy leather out of her case. She places it on the table next to the blue one. "You will know when to open this one, I am told, and that opening it prior to the correct time could prove... extremely lethal." She sits back in the chair. "I must, to maintain honor, tell you that I would not let my people take such a job with so little information. However, the Regent is a man known for such things. It is something of a gamble. I have seen men who were beggars become pillars of society when gambling with the Regent's mysteries. I've also seen hardened professional competent mercenaries end up beggars or worse gambling on those same mysteries. If you wish to discuss it in private, I can take the cases and return in the morning. However, the offer is only valid until the morning, as you'll need to be at the oasis by moonrise tomorrow night."
Flann rolls up his sleeves and comes very close to touching the forbidden scroll case. "Wow! Secret messages, moon writing... We're doing it, right? -or... you're doing it, I guess. I do so envy you adventurers... Your lives have proven much more the daring adventure than the ship's crew I signed on for."
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Volita looked up from her dinner of bourbon and mostly just bourbon, "Of course we're doing it! Brave adventurers like us won't shirk at the smallest bit of the unknown danger! We are not children still weeping for our nursemaids to hold us and make the bad things go away!
And you may as well come, Flann. There's no telling how invaluable your unique...talents, well be."
As they are wrapping up their evening meal, a familiar face knocks on the doorway to announce themselves.
"My pardon, Captain McIntyre. If I might have a few moments of your time." She says, one eyebrow raised.
"Certainly, have a seat, Proctor Riva." Connor said, smiling, standing and pulling a spare chair nearer.
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Alarm bells went off in Connor's head as the Proctor explained the Regent's offer. "If we didn't have the Regent's urgent mission to the Atalantian mercenaries, I would think this a suicide request." Connor summarily voiced. He held up a hand to stop any protest from the Wingless woman. "I have more than enough faith in knowing the Regent requires us alive, and cognizant, to deliver his request to the Clan elders." Connor soothed. He eyed the two scroll cases. "Still, this has all the earmarks of a gunpowder trail leading to the alchemist's fire storehouse." Just like old times, eh, Hero? he 'pathed to his other self.
"I wonder if the Regent took our ability to glide on the winds into account." Connor mused. He looked around the table. Nodding at Volita, Connor told Flann. "We'll need your special talents on this. As well as others from the ship. We just have to ask them."
Turning back to Riva, Connor asked "We'll take the job. What do you know of this oasis? How far away by, er, pigeon's flight? Or would horses be better?"
"It is a day and a half by horse, I would say that you could likely make it there in a single day on wing." She replies. "As to the oasis itself, it's an oasis, a natural water supply in the desert. The caravans use it all the time.
"If you haven't cleaned out your rack from the Elephant," Connor warned his crewmates, "you'd better get it off before sunset. I think Rinalda and her shipwrights will lock up our drydock tight for the next few days."
"Since we don't know the details of the mission, it wouldn't hurt to be ready for anything." Connor mused. "We have this afternoon to shop for any supplies. I'll check my things too, see if I can get anything checked off my long-term list."
