"I just didn't want you to strike out in reflex - I'm fragile, you know. And for the record, I'm Runzyl at the moment in case someone else sees through the invisibility. I don't want them to see my latest alter ego. As for kalashtar help, yes, we do. We don't know then terribly well yet, but as you say, we have to trust something - in this case, we are trusting the people that asked us to do this task are providing help and not hindrance."
Back in the boutique, no longer invisible and wearing the guise of the young lady once more, Gil petulantly says, "No, no, no, this simply will not do! Come, we might as well continue our errands." Followed by her continent of three(!) liveried warforged bodyguards, she heads for the door.
Not the most subtle, but fun. Now I have three guards. Onward!
As 'my lady' directs. A bit of wry humor leaks over through the thought.
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Careful, I could get used to this! There is no attempt to disguise the mirth in her tone.
Pierce pauses as the Lady he is escorting has asked him to stand guard. Stock still as any Warforged would be.
Kazadar will follow along with the troupe, purchasing fruit here and meat on sticks there as they pass markets, passing the time with food as usual.
While Janosz provides the distraction, Haladon asks around after Captain Marrius. Following the unfortunate incident at the Lyrandar docking tower and the general notoriety that he and his crew were trying their best to avoid, he learns that the Crimson Eagle has left Sharn. Marrius was apparently cagey about where they were heading - he is still a wanted man as far as Karrnath is concerned - but the contact Haladon has found was an 'intimate companion', albeit on a relatively temporary basis, of one of the more loose-lipped members of the ship's crew. From her he finds out that the plan was to ship out to the wilder fringes of Khorvaire for a while, somewhere between Qbarra and the Lhazaar Principalities.
A dilemma, then. Do we continue our search or do we charter with another captain?
Haladon gets the impression she is telling the truth - she's somewhat miffed as the crewmember in question left without paying out some money she felt she was owed, so she has little reason to conceal anything on his behalf.
Let's head back. It's getting late. We'll decide a course of action, then.
Once returned to their accommodations, Gil sits to compose a query to Marrius.
Ezreal waves one hand in irritation, "The distance to Marrius is not an issue. We could be standing on his deck an hour from now if he agrees to have us. Contact the man and make an offer."
I noticed some incongruities with my power list. Looks like Hero lab dosen't quite have some levels and options right. As I haven't done too much, do you mind if I tweak that list a little? I won't change anything I've already used.
** spoiler omitted **
There is a pause after Ezreal sends his message before the reply comes back.
"Fifty thousand, and a pardon for me and the crew. You know people in the Admiralty, you can make it happen. And Adar is f&cking-"
The reply is cut off as the word limit is reached.
"Well, that was short and to the point," Haladon comments wryly. "I hope you can bring the price down, 'Ganishana'. Otherwise, we may have to pawn some of our gear."
"I wonder which Admiralty he means..."
"We will need to make a counter-offer. That's the name of the game, is it not? I will make it as sweet as I can in such few words."
Contact him again. "Twenty-five and Ezreal's testimony and push for pardon. Trip is one way. No need to linger or go ashore. Twenty-five word replies only."
Pierce watches as the group discusses negotiations with the ship Captain. "Agreed, that current price is far too high".
She nods and casts another sending, Twenty-five and Ezreal's testimony and push for pardon. Trip is one-way. No need to linger or go ashore. Twenty-five word reply only.
"This Captain Marrius drives a hard bargain. But perhaps his price isn't as ludicrous as it seems. Adar is difficult to reach by air or sea. The mountain peaks rise so high you are likely to freeze on deck. It would take a skilled captain and crew indeed to find a spot to let us off safely. All of the traffic info Sarlona proper is controlled by the Riedrans so avoiding them is another hazard. When I initially left it was on a smuggler vessel crossing the Barren Sea. I'm amazed we made it through the maze off underwater mountains off the coast."
Gil nods at the wizard, "We have options to reach locations once we can see them."
The reply comes back. "Adar long way, no charts, ship nearly wrecked last time, deaths. And time before. Not a f#cking charity or skycoach service. Forty thousand, plus pardon."
"If the Captain is charging us double what others will, why not simply utilize a new charter for transport?"
"It seems we may have to, Pierce. Unless our newfound allies have a cheaper method to transport us to Adar?" Haladon wonders while looking at the kalashtar.
"I never thought to return to my homeland so I have no plans in place to do so. Havakhad, do you know of any oft used methods to get people into Adar?"
"For now I think we should continue to negotiate with Captain Marius as you already have a relationship, though that is starting to look like more of a hindrance than a boon at present. If that falls through though, we will need alternatives."
"I have never been to Adar...I have no means to do so."
"Y'know, Marrius must be truly desperate for cash to make a ridiculous demand like that. Also, he never mentioned any intention of returning to Karrn previously. Combine those two oddities, and I wonder if he is being squeezed by someone and might need to run back to Karrn. Who has that kind of reach?"
"We might want to scry on him anyway. For all we know, he's tied to a chair somewhere with someone getting the hot pokers ready. The offer is so bad it almost seems like a warning or coded message."
”Ezreal, would you be able to scry Marrius?”