Thank you, Svetlana.
Assuming no one else has an issue with the price, Halloran turns to Oleg and says, I believe we have a deal. There were two other things I wanted to ask you, first producing the silver earrings and the wooden music box that were at the bandit camp, can you estimate the value of these items?
Oleg:
"I could hazard a guess, but that's it."
Alright Halloran says tucking them away, Well come back to that later. Second thing, how do you feel about trading with kobolds?
Oleg:
"Have not traded with them before so I can't say.
Though I recall there is one person who does trade with them once or twice a year."
Really,Halloran raises his eyebrows in surprise, who is that?
Oleg:
"It's been over a year since I last saw her,
I believe her name is Bridgette."
Do you know where she lives?
Oleg:
"I have no idea."
Sir Eamon and Silstaren arrive from the stables and catch the end of the conversation between Halloran and Oleg.
"Kobolds have a reputation for cowardice and thievery," the paladin notes, joining the conversation. "But we can say little better for the reputation of many of the humans dwelling in these lands. Present company definitely excepted. Oleg, Halloran has struck up a relationship on our behalf with a tribe of kobolds. It seems they may have things to trade, and if they behave themselves we would be obliged to you for permitting them to come here and sell their goods."
"Of course, before striking the deal, you should keep in mind their idea of valuables primarily involves food, and food primarily involves moon radishes", Rory chirps in.
It's early days yet, I've only had 2 conversations with a kobold named Yip so far, 1 in which he traded me a bag of moon radishes for 5 gold and another when he told me they wanted hides and metal strips and I asked to meet their chief.
We're supposed to meet Yip, back at the radish patch the day after tomorrow, to see what we have to offer each other. I don't know that they'd want to, but if it's alright with you I'd like to offer them to be able to trade here at the trading post.
Oleg:
"I'll have to think on it."
It's early days yet, I've only had 2 conversations with a kobold named Yip so far, 1 in which he traded me a bag of moon radishes for 5 gold and another when he told me they wanted hides and metal strips and I asked to meet their chief.
...
To Oleg:Take your time, we'll be here for at least a day. For that matter they may not want to come here, so if they do agree to trade, they might need a go between, possibly us.
And speaking of trade, do you have any healing potions for sale?
Oleg:
"I have two potions of Cure light and a potion of shield of faith(+2)"
How much are you asking for each potion?
Oleg:
"45 gold for each one."
So 135 gold for all 3?
Oleg:
"That's right."
Sounds like a deal to me. Let's do it.
Silstaren orders drinks for the party from Svetlana, then drifts back over to the conversation. "It might be best if the kobalds didn't come here themselves. The only question would be the scale of the trouble."
As I said, it's not a done deal at this point, I'm merely exploring what each side is comfortable with. Oleg may or may not want kobolds coming to his trading post, the kobolds may or may not want to trade with Oleg. Halloran accepts his drink and takes a sip.
As long as both sides are willing to explore the possibility of finding common ground, I think it's worth the effort of asking what each side wants. Halloran takes another sip. At the very least it's one fight we've managed to avoid so far and who knows? talking with the kobolds might yield some unexpected dividends, like the radishes.
Looking around the fort, Halloran notices the man Royston was talking to earlier, Who's the new guy?
Silstaren takes a long slow draught as Halloran speaks.
"Yes, I can see you're trying to build bridges, to lay the grounds for peace. A noble goal. But why should Oleg risk his home and wealth should the kobalds see and covet what he's made? " The elf turns to the trading post owner. "Oleg, I would advise against letting the kobalds come here. Better to trade with them through intermediaries."
"Come Halloran, have a drink. I still have a small sum on account with our dear host."
The elf's gaze follows Halloran's. "I know him not."
It's Oleg's post, I can make suggestions, but in the end the final decision will be his.
Halloran approaches the newcomer, Greetings traveler, allow me to introduce myself Halloran Westover, and you are?
Jhod Kavken:
"Nice to meet you Halloran, Names Jhod Kavken.
I am a priest of Erastil."
On hearing that, the paladin walks over, bowing formally. "A pleasure, brother. I am Sir Eamon of the Rose, servant of the Stag god. What brings you to Oleg's?"
Rory comes up to Halloran, unusually timid.
Master Westover, I have been watching your performance when we were fighting the bandits, and I must say I'm impressed with your magical arsenal. What would you ask for allowing me a peek into your spellbook to try and derive the alchemical formulas for duplicating some of your spells' effects? Under your close supervision, of course.
Silstaren drifts toward the Erastilians, hoping to steer the conversation to archery. He stops when his keen ears pick up Rory's request. This sounds far more interesting. The elf walks up and nods deferentially to man and halfling as if to say, "I hope you don't mind if I listen in."
Jhod Kavken:
"I heardof the exploration charter and came to help,
that and I had a particularly vivid dream about an
overgrown temple of Erastil guarded by a huge, angry bear.
And I believe it's somewhere in the stolen lands."
Awed by the idea of a direct sending from his deity, Eamon watches Jhod closely and with reverence. "Can you say more of this vision, brother Jhod? Where it lies or whether the bear be a mere animal or some creature of the Stag god?"
Jhod Kavken:
"I don't know anything more, unfortunately"
Upon hearing Rory's request, Halloran raises his eyebrows at him in surprise, as much because of his uncharacteristic behavior as well as the request.
You think you'll be able to translate my spells into alchemical formulas? Halloran gets a thoughtful look on his face, Interesting, I'm tempted to let you try just to see if it can be done, of course if you can translate spells into formulas it stands to reason the reverse is true as well. So how about this, you open your books to me and I'll return the favor, deal?
Silstaren knits his brows. "So, Rory, you're saying that you can distill the focused power of concentration, words, and gesture commonly used to work magic into a material form? Fascinating! How does it work?"
"You see, I've come to a conclusion that magic is a part of nature. We have all read and some may have even seen naturally occurring creatures which wield what effectively is magic, we call them fey creatures. By analyzing the properties of nature, I have been able to distill elements which in right concentrations and mixtures evoke magical energies in the imbiber. The next step is to compare these elements with the notations used in arcane arts and see if there are any similarities.
I've tried it once before and it worked. I have successfully been able to distill extracts which can be used to enlarge or reduce people, like them wizards do. It is some ways like brewing a potion, but the process is more... refined. I am not quite sure if the process works the other way round, since my formulas rely on releasing the magical energy already contained in the natural components, while you wizards seem to channel it out of thin air."
"Then how do outsiders, dragons and magical beasts and other creatures factor into your theory?"
"I don't know much about planar creatures. My guess is that the concentration of raw magical elements is much higher in the Outer Planes, which leads outsiders to have inborn magical ability. But that doesn't concern me much, my field of research is extracting the formulas from the manifestations of magic which allow to store the magical energy in form of an alchemical extract and transfer it to an individual who otherwise doesn't have magical ability."
"But aren't outsider, elementals and dragons to an extent manifestations of magic."
"Well I suppose they are, but just as we have wizards who follow strict procedures to invoke magical effects and sorcerers who rely on inborn ability, so, too, we have naturally-occurring and artificial manifestations. My work is more akin to wizardry than sorcery."
"So your trying to copy the effects of wizards into alchemy."
"Partially. I have not yet established the limits of mutual interconnections between the two. So far I have a proven case that some formulas can be derived from spells. Perhaps there are spells in which the elements could not easily be derived, or prove unstable when mixed, or even lethal. I also have some formulas which do not have equivalent spells; they are to do with bombs and mutagens. Lastly, alchemy can be used to treat wounds, which wizards are unable to do."
"So a bard with potions."
"And without music, I'm afraid. Master Westover, I can prepare you a free potion for every spell I manage to copy from your spell book. Is that a deal?"
Silstaren listens to the exchange with interest. "Very interesting. I've never had a candid conversation with an alchemist. I imagined it was just mixing ingredients, like some elaborate meal."
"They say alchemy did started in the kitchen."
If you do succeed in transferring spells from my book to yours, I'd be more interested in seeing if I could transcribe any spells you have, that I don't into my book. But the free potions are a fair compromise, we have a deal.
The day wears on til nightfall, and the sky is basked in a golden sunset, and grey clouds on the horizon.