DM Fang Dragon's Strange Aeons (Inactive)

Game Master FangDragon

Zarine was going to keep trying to figure the guy out, but after Zandomir speaks to him like a bad guy, she stops and backs off, waiting to see if they are going to have to fight him.

Filbert pauses and cocks his head to see how the shopkeeper answers......

SM: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Agrippa understands that the creature isn't what it seems. Agrippa "thinks" that the creature fears Red Destiny...for what else could harm a living dream than a blade of pure energy.

Agrippa gives a furious look to Zandomir, no one likes being called a liar or dissembler. The Warpriest shows no tact.

Master Merchant. What my friend means is that we wish you no ill will. We are but humble travelers in this Dream World. There is no cause to suspect or think us indisposed toward you.

The merchant, or perhaps the memory of one, clapped at Filberts antics. But then he recoils slightly from Zandomir's harsh words. He throws his hands up and says, "He carries a weapon of power, I can sense it from here! It makes me nervous..."

"Master Merchant. What my friend means is that we wish you no ill will. We are but humble travelers in this Dream World. There is no cause to suspect or think us indisposed toward you."

The man seems somewhat mollified replying, "But of course shahib, no offence taken."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23

Zandomir notices the change in the man's pattern of speech and decides to remain silent for now. The others apparently thought they could get something useful from the man... spirit... thing... so better not to ruin their chances with a lack of tact.

Deciding everything will continue without coming to blows Filbert chimes back in

" Master Merchant, you were speaking of available supplies???"

"Indeed! I am expecting a shipment of bows, silk and of mail. It will probably be here..." He counts on his fingers before saying with a flourish, "Next time you're here."

So if you could buy anything (including +5 stuff) what would you like? Obviously you need to pay for it but the dreamlands has some unique opportunities.

As they ventured into the Dreamlands and found the shopkeeper Momijii fund the whole thing rather odd. It left her nervous and uncomfortable and she did as she tended to anymore and withdrew into herself as she watched for trouble. The fact that the merchant claimed he could get anything they needed was actually intriguing but she was sure he couldn't get what she wanted the most, the memories she had lost, and the mystery of what happened to her sensei.

Wow, nice thought. Unfortunately, I am already at wealth-by-level, so unless we are leveling up soon, I have to pass.

Perhaps I should point out Lizzie found a 50k gold sword just lying there... And yes that is in the AP, it's not something I added.

*blinks in amazement*

We can't take the stuff with us back into the "real world" though. So, there's that.

Hmm, this will take some thought

"So you can find anything? Boots that will fly, a cape of invisibility - well I don't really need that one, gloves that make me hit like a giant?" The gnome while sceptical at first seems to be warming up to the idea. "But how would we pay for it, what currency do you take here?"

Zarine listens to Filbert, and when he mentions a cape of invisibility she says

Oh, I would take one of those. Or... do you have deliquescent gloves? Or a better bow than I have already? It has to be an Orc Hornbow though. That's what Kog at the carnival taught me, and that's what I'm good at. ... Or how about something that protects us from the awful heat?

And hey, if we don't have to pay with money, what about a helm of teleportation, or a nice flying carpet? Or one of those portable hole things? I've never seen one myself, but they sound really nice.

Zandomir looks at his bow as others in the group mention one fantastical thing after another. He thought his bow was quite good, all things considered, but here in the Dreamlands Zan is starting to think it looks rather plain.

Voicing his own thoughts, Zan says, "Do you have any magical longbows as well? Something that both enhances someone's ability to strike their foes and deals extra damage... maybe holy damage?"

Trying to be more creative, Zan adds, "I've heard of a bow used by powerful followers of Desna called a Starbow. You wouldn't happen to be able to acquire one of those, would you?"

Specifically referring to: Starbow.

Nice bow. :)

Seeming happy to talk shop, the Merchant responds, "We don't get much call for bows blessed by the higher planes. Not that we get much call for anything these days but the shipment will indeed contain a number of enchanted bows, most of which simply improve the archer's accuracy."

When Zandomir asks about a Starbow he replies, "Ah! A magnificent choice. It would have to put on special delivery but such a thing is indeed possible! We should discuss the price, three large perfect emeralds - ones as big as your spread hand. Or perhaps a first, your first love or maybe your first kill if vivid enough."

Zandomir's quite certain that he has no idea what to make of the merchant. They hadn't exactly made a good first impression with each other, but the man is starting to grow on Zan.

When the merchant mentions payment, Zan decides he doesn't want to know all the details of using a first love or first kill as payment. It's not like he could probably remember that anyway. Instead, Zan asks about the emeralds.

"Do you know where we could find said emeralds? Are they common in these parts, or could you direct us where to look?"

OOC, we of course don't need to go chase down a bunch of emeralds just to get a bow, but if we happen to be going by the area, or are already in the area, it'd be cool to pick up a few.

Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Zarine waits to hear the answer to Zandomir's question before asking anything further.

Filbert listens to the merchant and Zandomir discuss the terms of their transaction. "Emeralds are truly temperamental gems, all too often cracked by the untrained as they try to take a shortcut in making a repair." Filbert remarks outloud, lost in thought "One that large are exceptional finds."

Once the merchant is free again. "Heard a bard once sing about this clumsy fellow who found a belt that while it made him able to dance away the night with any lady without stepping on their toes it also gave him the endurance to do so, like me he was a slight little fellow."

Filbert's talking about a Belt of Physical Might(Dex, Con)

The merchant makes an expansive gesture, "Do I know where such emeralds might be? Usually in dangerous places... They're not exactly common but far from unheard of."

The merchant gives filbert an appraising look, "Yes. Such things are often made from leather backed with silk are they not... No doubt embroidered with gold or even princess hair or spun from captured moonlight. I shall bear you in mind when the caravan arrives, a lesser one might be worth a single large emerald."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Remembering that they are in a dream world, Zarine tries to imagine a large emerald, wondering if that will somehow lead her to one here.

Guessing I should roll something here, but no idea what... appraise for gem knowledge and maybe a will save for imagination?

Appraise: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Will: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Relaxing slightly in the merchant's presence since the others seemed comfortable with him Momijii waited her turn and stepped forward. "I remember my Sensei once had a robe that he said increased his skills as a monk. It let him hit harder and dodge hits better." She raised one eyebrow and asked, "Is it possible to attain one of these?"
Looking for a monk's Robe.

Cool thought about 'dreaming up' some gems, Zarine! Will be extra cool if it works.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31

Noticing the merchant's lack of candor again, Zan tries to be less antagonistic this time. "Dangerous places, you say? Would you mind naming some of those places? We're new to these parts."

The merchant nodded to Momijii, "Such things are well known, the shipment will be sure to contain the like. I'd imagine a large emerald and a small ruby the size of your thumb might suffice..." Hardly a small ruby, although it seems things in the dreamlands are rarely done by halves!

The merchant replies mildly "Well I suppose Viscount Brellin's Celephais ball would count. I hear the waters contain large caches of gems, and other more exiting things."

Agrippa notes the name "Viscount Brellin Celephais".

Knowledge?: 1d20 + 1d8 ⇒ (2) + (3) = 5 +7 to +12 depending on the needed roll

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17

"Viscount Brellin's Celephais ball? Is that a party of some sort? Does he just give the gems away? And what might these more exciting things be?"

Assuming that her attempt was fruitless. Not rolling on Sense Motive or Knowledge Arcana because both of those are beyond my max bonus, so impossible to hit.

Maybe we should go.

Zarine uses her Sleeves of Many Garments to change her clothing into a stunning emerald ball gown, sparkling with tiny inset gems because she had been thinking of them. She twirls a few times, showing off.

There's nothing a will save will help with here currently Zarine. You're convinced the shop is of full of worthless rags and detritus.

The merchant replies, "Indeed the last night of Celephais is a reason to party - what else could could do? Visited once my self, very moving. Does he give them away? Of course not! Don't be ridiculous. Anyway I'm not entirely sure how to describe what's in the water, not seen it myself."

Lizzie had been listening the entire time, her friends seemingly doing a fine job.

"Have you spoken with others who have looked into the water, however?"

The merchant thinks for a moment before replying, "Well you can see Celephais Lake from the ball room windows, but that's not what you mean... So no, not knowingly, it's not something one does. Perhaps Viscount Brellin has but I wouldn't dream of approaching somebody so exalted about such an impertinent subject."

I was talking about my attempt to imagine an emerald (which is what the Will save was part of as a guess, as mentioned in that post), but no worries. It was a long shot anyway.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

What is Celephais?

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22

"Good merchant, as I mentioned before, we're new to these parts, so we really need to know all the relevant details you can give us. Even seemingly minor bits of information could be helpful. Please share whatever you know about this place and this Viscount."

To Zarine he replies, "Celephais is a grand city situated in the Valley of Ooth-Nargai with many-graceful spires, protected by white marble walls and stout ensorcelled brass gates."

To Zandomir he shrugs, "They say time forgot Celephais. It's a remarkable place, you'd like it I'm sure. As for the Viscount he is a noble of Celephais from a long lived and proud family. His balls are the height of Celephain society. Now did one of you wish to place an advance order?" You get the impression he doesn't wish to say much more, instead wishing to turn to matters of business.

Pressing his luck, Zan says, "I would be inclined to place an advance order, but don't you think it would be best to let us know everything you can about Celephain society? If there are unusual or dangerous traditions, it might be difficult to return to make payment and retrieve our items if we don't know about said traditions. If you're concerned about others finding out how we know something, you can trust us to be circumspect in our interactions."

Zarine adds A good bow would be awesome, but I also wanted to know if you can order anything that will protect us from this heat.

To Zarine he replies first, "Mmm yes there's something called a Comfort's Cloak. Quite a popular item, I'm sure several will be available."

Sounding exasperated by Zandomir the merchant replies cryptically, "Some things are best experienced first hand. I'm sure you'll do just fine."

He's getting quite grumpy now ;)

Cloak sounds like a good idea, if we can afford it... I still don't know exactly what this guy wants. Just gems it sounds like. I was thinking dreamworld... thoughts or ideas might lead us to them, or they were actually made out of that, but it sounds like they are at this one guy's party. Is it something we can go to? Also, maybe someone at the party knows how to find the guy we are looking for... or do we already know where we're going? (Sorry, I know I should remember, but I seem to lose track of the plot details because of the RL time distance since I last heard it. Could be senility setting in, but I hope not since I'm not *that* old.) :)

Ridiculously large gems are the currency in the dreamlands. There's a good portion of the Caravanserai that's unexplored and you know there's somebody here a newcomer called the yellow king. That's really strange since Hastur the great old one is called the king in yellow...

Zandomir decides he's pushed as far as he's going to be able to, or at least as far as he'll be able to if he wants the group to eventually get anything from the merchant.

Adjusting to a lighter tone, Zan says, "A Comfort's Cloak sounds excellent. A Starbow would be exceptional. Hopefully we can return with the required payment after visiting Celephais." If we even go to Celephais.

Hmm, but is Hastur actually yellow, or does he just wear yellow? The yellow king could be someone completely unrelated. Coincidences are a thing in Pathfinder, right? Right?

;) OK so what next?

I think finish exploring the Caravanserai, and then if there aren't other leads, off to Celephais. Other thoughts?

I agree with Zarine. I suppose we might want to formalize our advance orders, but that's probably something we could do in the discussion thread if necessary. Otherwise, yes, Caravanserai, then Celephais.

OK Lizzie, Heinrich, Momijii, What do you think?

Having quietly considered the merchant's words from atop his perch Filbert interjects. "A little help in staying comfortable within the hot sands of these lands perhaps would be of more benefit, Although if both were to be here all the better." He ends with a smile.

Searching the Caravanserai, would make the most sense and from there perhaps we'd figure out how to get to Celephais without falling to the wayside from the Dreamlands version of heatstroke.

Yup to the plan.

Agreed. We are in no condition to be traversing across desert. Let's stake out this place, and then we can "wake up" and come back tomorrow night...with the right spells prepared.

Agrippa agrees to continue searching through the caravanserai.

Indeed. Good day to you sir Merchant.

Ok so searching the Caravanserai. Which bit next?

Zarine starts south.

Zandomir quickly follows after Zarine, not wanting the bard to go it alone.