"Come along," Brynn remarks. "Maffei is waiting."
"Yes, lets get this done with. If I wanted to go home I would not want to wait. I do not want to go home thought. Just let me know what I need to chip in."
As you make your way to the old ruins, knowing Maffei will be there waiting. Out of the shadow of the tower, the strange flowing form of Maffei approaches, "Have you the means to heal me?"
Grilnik puts down the sack of diamond dust carefully. "Well, I'm not sure. We definitely have a couple different things to try. Hold out your hand and I'll try our first option."
After chanting for a few moments, Grilnik reaches out to touch Maffei with a faintly glowing hand.
After a bit of trial and error, the scroll flashes and the diamond dust next to it glow with a bright light then seems to evaporate into the air. Surrounding the darkness around the Shae. Clinging to her for a second before being absorbed into her.
"Ah.. I feel much better. Though I still feel some train. Though I believe that is the right step"
"Wonderful!" Brynn remarks with a smile. "Well done, Grilnik." She looks at Maffei. "Will you be heading home now?"
Grilnik wipes the sweat from his brow that appeared during his second (successful) attempt to use the scroll.
"Well, I'm glad that the scroll worked, at least. The cleric of Abadar mentioned that it's only effective once per week, but we don't yet have the funds to do that again anyway."
Grilnik pauses, stroking his beard "...If you decide to stick around for a week and can collect the 1700 gold for the scroll and dust, I'd be happy to do more."
His hand drops and he shrugs as he adds "I'm not sure such efforts aren't more profitably spent attempting to go home, though."
"Damn", Vors sighed. "Sorry Maffei."
Grilnik straightens his belt buckle.
"Yeah, wish we could do more."
Maffei, "I believe you did what you could. I still have not crafted a plan for my return. In the meantime, if you believe the town will accept my stay here in this tower, I can stay. If we find a solution to my problem before I decide to leave...
She seems to float, a bit unsure as to her future.
"I am going to mediate on this. Learn what I can about the area here. Come find me if you have news on my health."
So... she wasn't leaving. Damn.
Brynn nods in understanding. "Of course, Maffei."
Then she turns and promptly wanders off. There was treasure to be sold, and coin to count.
Maffei fades into the ruins.
---------------
Now what's the plan? 1 month of time. Downtime stuff for everyone.
Grilnik will spend 5~6 of those days exploring nearby town and 24 of them (mostly) on endurance training.
Vors will join Grilnik in his exploration of the town. During his stay, The half-orc will ask the Baccus family out for dinner one night to socialize and get more in depth information of the town.
After noticing a severe lack of Caydenites in Belhaim, Vors will ask Talia for a job at the inn, failing that a job at The Grayhands. In whatever temporary job he gets, Vors will act as employee and priest of Cayden Cailean; offering service, some laughs, some lessons and healing if need be.
Vors will also try to forge a romantic relationship with either Talia or Lady Origena, whichever seems more receptive. For Talis Vors will ask the innkeeper out for dinner and maybe a stroll; for Lady Origena, Vors will stop by to offers some flowers and a chance for a dinner out into town.
During this time, Vors is more that willing to be social with his adventuring party , meeting for meals, helping with shopping or errants, what have you.
Brynn spends her time flirting with the attractive locals, putting on exciting acrobatic archery performances, and generally enjoying being well-liked and famous in a small town. She does her best to cultivate an image of a kind, friendly, talented woman.
Grilnik and Vors, during your time exploring around the the area and town, you don't find anything of any particular interest. You do pick up on a few rumors though.
"The stories say the Crypt of Tula's haunted by her husband's spirit, but no one's been there for years, so how could anyone know for sure?"
"The monks who lives in the old monetarist didn't vanish - they just wandered into Dragonfen and died in some vile ritual. They're out there still, haunting the fen!"
You learn that to the east there is a large area of marshing land called the Dragonfen. Its farther out than the quary is. No one really goes out there, and it is quite large area.
---Grilnik---
Your endurance training goes well. Feel free to go by the rules for how you handle it
---Vors---
Talia seems a lot more approachable than Origena. Mostly because Origena seems set in her ways, and likely, though hard to get a full read, been married before.
Roll 2 Diplomacy rolls to see how well you do.
---Brynn---
Do a Diplomacy roll for the general flirting.
You make a bit of coin, and mostly stick around town in the hopes of getting some good stuff later.
---Bethany---
What do you wish to do?
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---Brynn---
You make your way through the town however you wish. Quite a few women look at you with glares.
---Vors---
Your earlier flirting with Talia in the inn goes quite well. Your stay was free, now your room has been upgraded.. to her room. You help out around the inn, and even have convinced her to allow a small adventuring alter to Cayden Cailean in the inn. A few people even say their words before a nice drink. Shelyn's music and Cayden's drink go well together.
---Bethany---
Will do some rolls for you for the 4 weeks.
[ooc]So if you work 5 days a week, with some breaks.. for you know.. drinking.. you earn a total of 35gp. You can either work with the local Blacksmith to do some carpentry work, or open up your own small stall to help around town. You end up making some furniture for the locals, including Origena. As well as just fixing doors that have settled. You may have even help build a shed for one of the farmers.[ooc]
---Everyone---
Before moving forward. Is there any other RP or specifics you want to do for this downtime? Otherwise I will jump in with Chapter 3!
Brynn enjoys being wined, dined, and pampered by various paramours over the next few weeks. Although she sleeps with a few (sometimes repeatedly) she prefers to avoid messy entanglements, and always turns down romantic attention from 'taken' men. (Although she still lets them buy her a drink now and again...)
---Everyone---
Before moving forward. Is there any other RP or specifics you want to do for this downtime? Otherwise I will jump in with Chapter 3!
Sounds good!
Grilnik decides to pummel some of the boulders in the quarry for exercise while enjoying the subsidized lodging at The Wise Piper. During the course of the month, he takes a few days off here and there to explore Belhaim's surroundings and to see how the others are doing.
Bethany spends her free time by opening up a small stall and doing work for whoever needs. Its nice to do work she knows well but gets a bit boaring by the end. it would seem that swinging the big hammer is more fun then the little one. Still it passes the time and gives her a feeling of accomplishment and place in the town.
A month has gone by since your small band of adventurers ventured into a broken tower, solved the death of the local wizard, took care of a Kobold tribe, and made safe the wizard's manor house. Each of you have done your own thing in the meantime. Some have trained their bodies, while others made money in this new, quite nice, town. Making friends with the locals. Many of you are considered residents of the town.
The time of the Auction has come. On the scheduled day a few people show up from around the world to this small town to auction off the wizard's goods. It is open to the public so the amphitheater is filled with faces you recognize. Including the Adras family, Sir Pelle Benhovy , Arnholde Devy , Bassy , and Swerlo Grayhands.
Along with the familiar faces are a few others. A group of 3, white clad individuals, 2 black robed individuals of indeterminate gender, a snarling half orc, and a brown haired man in a red felt hat with a large blue feather stuck in its side.
You enter the amphitheater and are allowed to mingle for a bit before the start of the auction. You are told that you have a place of honer and are given the front row seats.
Brynn chats with the locals and newcomers, particularly the Baronesses wealthy son.
"Well, hello, Lord Devy. It's lovely to see you again!" She offers him her hand, a bright smile, and gives a little curtsy. "May I call you Arnhole? Or is that too forward?"
"What a lovely turnout. Are you planning on bidding on anything in particular?"
---
When its time for the auction to start, Brynn proudly takes her seat at the front of the audience.
The youngish man smiles seeing Brynn "Oh you can call me Arnhole, it is my name after all. I too am very curious how this will play out. After looking at the Lots, I think the ones I am curious about are the Parlor and Storage. There seems to be some interesting magical items for sale too, though I am looking to gather some interesting furnature and supplies for my eventual home. What about you, what are you interested in?"
1. Kitchen
2. Parlor
3. Dining room
4. Library
5. Stuffed Grizzly bear
6. Book of Extended Summoning
7. Flesh Golem manual
8. Manual of War
9. Assorted potions
10. Assorted Scrlls
11. Hunclay's Spellbooks
12. Bedroom lot
13. Observatory lot
14. Storage Lot.
15. Clockwork lab
16. Summoning Journal
"Oh, I'm always in the market for magical writings and potions. We'll have to see if the price is right, of course. I doubt I have the deepest pockets in the crowd." She lets out a good natured laugh and gives Arnhold a smile.
2x files of oil of keen edge
potion of undetectable alignment
potion of protection from acid
potion of protection from fire
scroll of campfire wall
scroll of excruciating deformation
scroll of haunting mists
scroll of magic circle against chaos
"Ah yes, well being an auction I am sure there will be some items that sell for less, just keep your ears open and ready to act on these lots! Good luck to you" He peals away from you somewhat reluctanly to continue his rounds. You get the impression he has some duties here as well.
As he peals off the man in the red hat and feather is seen arguing with the auctioneer. His voice gets high enough everyone can hear.
"... Missing! These are not all of Hunclay's items! The Baroness clearly has not put all of his estate up for auction. I demand to see the Baroness! I need to speak with her about the missing items"
The auctioneer replies "Oh sir.. please. I can promise you that these items here account for everything of value in the manor. If you are willing to wait till after the auction, I can arrange a meeting with you and the Baroness. To talk about any issues you may have." This seems to calm the man down. a bit
Grilnik is admiring some of the paintings on display when the man with the red hat begins arguing.
Oh, I was afraid of this. I suppose it couldn't hurt to ask...
Grilnik approaches the man as he's calming down and says to the man
"Excuse me, there wouldn't happen to be a bunny slipper missing from the collection, would there?"
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Despite the upcoming auction being 'the talk of the town', Vors really wasn't interested in going. It was only due to Talia's urging of 'the big brave half-orc Hero of Belhaim' and the fact that he, and his fellow adventurers, had places of honor at the event, did the roguish cleric of Cayden Cailean make an appearance. Vor's lady love made sure he looked as nice as possible. The half-orc couldn't help but smile to know he had someone in his life that cared for him so much.
At the event, Vors was still getting used to the fact that everyone knows who he is. He greeted the Adras family, and got a handshake from Sir Pelle. The half-orc got a noncommittal wave from Arnholde, probably hearing how Vors clumsily tried to court his mother, and a cold nod from Swerlo Grayhands. The rivalry between The Wise Piper Inn and The Grayhands has heated up since Vors began to work with Talia, boosting the prestige of the inn over the tavern that didn't have a cleric of Cayden on-staff.
Vors eventually makes his way to the front of the audience, finding Brynn already seated. Despite sitting farthest away from the magus, Vors kindly greets Brynn.
"Hello, Brynn. How are you", the half-orc starts off. Looking back to the young noble, Vors adds "You and Arnholde make a cute couple."
Bethany has little intrest in the autcion until she sees the man in the red felt hat with the large feather. She spends some time wiht the others, listening but watching the hat. Eventually she will walk up to him with complete confidence.
"Nice hat! I'm Bentany" she extends her hand 'What kind of feather is that? Its a nice hat really, am not being silly and making fun. What you looking to buy? My friends and I went in and got most of this stuff.. we well got rid of the things that would stop the others."
The man in the hat starts to move to sit down but is apprached by both Grilnik and Bethany.
Looking to the dwarf, "Just something my employer wanted. He was pretty sure Hunclay had it. Just hoping it was not labeled correctly. Maybe it will show up."
To Bethany, completely ignoring the comments about the feather, "Wait.. you where part of the group who collected these items? You did not happen to find some strange books? Ones not included in the auction?"
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"Well we found books, its a wizards tower or something. Strange? How would I know." she waves her hand dismissing the question as unimportant. " Also.... the feather? I answered your question and you ignored mine I think."
Brynn smiles in return to Vors. "I believe we would," she remarks. "I'm well, thank you. How are you?" Taking in his fine attire and the fact that he's combed his hair, Brynn jokes, "I see Talia's whipped you into shape. How are you two doing? Not bored yet, I take it?"
Whatever his response Byrnn smiles and immediately remarks, "That's wonderful!" She then turns her attention to the auctioning stage. "Planning on purchasing anything?"
Brynn smiles in return to Vors. "I believe we would," she remarks. "I'm well, thank you. How are you?" Taking in his fine attire and the fact that he's combed his hair, Brynn jokes, "I see Talia's whipped you into shape. How are you two doing? Not bored yet, I take it?"
The half-orc couldn't help himself from smiling. "Damnedest thing, it's amazing what the love of a beautiful woman can do to one's perspective. It's been a LONG time since I was this happy. Maybe domestication isn't so bad."
Whatever his response Byrnn smiles and immediately remarks, "That's wonderful!" She then turns her attention to the auctioning stage. "Planning on purchasing anything?"
"Nah!" Vors balked. "Nothing of any real interest. But I'll feel real sorry for the unfortune s.o.b. who purchases that damned bear rug."
"Everything from the mansion is in the auction. We even found a secret passage so I doubt we missed anything." Grilnik shrugs.
He starts stroking his beard "we're pretty good at finding things if your employer needs help locating something and has the coin. What'd these books look like?"
The man looks at the two of you with learing eyes. "The books, they would have looked very old. Likely written in a variety of languages."
As a bell is rung and people start to sit down for the auction he turns to you "We can maybe discuss this later. Oh. The feather hat is a family heirloom. My wife gave it to me." And he moves to sit down, near the back.
As the place gets settled a man steps to the front.
"Greetings everyone, I am Chosk Grellen and I will be your Auctioneer. We are going to go through lot by lot and make this happen. Please be civil and clear and we will make this happen"
Grilnik nods, finding his seat near Brynn and Vors.
I list the opening bid.
Any interested PCs get to make the first bid. All bids must be made in multiples of the opening bid. The PC attemps a single bluff or intimidate check. For each multiple by which the PC exeeds the opening bid the PC gets +2 bonus. So for example the Bear has an opening bid of 60. If Bethany throws in 120gp to start she gets a +2 to her roll. If she does 180gp she gets +4.
I check some things behind the scenes. And you either win at that, or another interested party will give another bid. Giving you a chance to repeat your bid/bluff or intimidate.
It is possible to win at the opening bid with a high enough check
--Kitchen Lot summary--
There is an opening bid of 100gp. Only 2 parties seem interested. Both the half orc, now known as Pickets and M. Adras, a local. It goes down to Pickets for 800gp.
--Parlor Lot summary--
Starting bid of 300gp. Again, only 2 interested parties. A. Devy and the strange man in the hat, who you now know as Clausyre. A.Devy wins it for 1,500gp, but Clausyre makes a big stink at loosing it. A big huff.
--Dining Room summary--
Starting bid of 200gp. Pickets and M. Adras are at it again. This time Adras wins it for 1,200gp.
--Libary Lot summary--
Starting bid of 400gp. 3 Parties seem interested this time. The 2 black hooded figures (apparently represending the Mercantile Consortium of Maheto), Bassy (local gnome historial), and Clausrye. The hooded figures win it for 2,400gp. Clausrye again grumbles at his loss.
--Stuffed Grizzly Bear!--
"This beautiful figure is in great condition. Stuffed and put into a very natural position. Great in any home! Lets put the starting bid at 60gp!
--Book of Extened Summoning Summary--
The starting bid of 550gp. Only 1 party is interested though. The Kalistrocrats from Kerse. They win on the opening bid.
--Flesh Golam Manual--
The starting bid of 2000gp. Only 1 party is interested. The Mercantile Consortium win it for the starting bid of 200gp
--Manual of War--
Starting bid of 1,500gp. Only the Kalistocrats are interested. They win at opening bid.
--Assorted Potions--
Starting bid of 660gp.
--Assorted scrolls--
Starting bid of 255gp
--Hunclay's Spellbooks--
Starting bid of 4,000gp
--Bedroom Lot--
Starting bid of 440gp. The Mercantile wins it at opening bid.
--Observatory Lot--
Opening bid of 1,000gp. The Kalistocrats, Pickets, and Clausyre are all interesteed. The Kalistocrats win it for 5000gp. Clausyre is visably frustrated to have lost again.
--Storage Lot--
opening bid of 500gp. A. Devy and Bassy are bidding. A. Devy wins for 2,500gp
--Clockwork lab lot--
Opneing bid of 1,000gp. Kalistocrats, Pickets, and MCM are all interested. The Kalistocrats win for 5,000gp
--Summoning Journal--
Opening bid 1,000gp. Kalistocrats, MCM, and Clausyre are interested. Kalistocrats win again for 6,000gp.
At this point Clausrye stands up dramatically and loudy yells, "Very well! I must delivery this bad news to my employer immediately. I bid you all good day!" Then storms out of the amphitheater.
After a pause, Bassy says, "I suspect he didn't mean that last part" Which causes a bit of laughter in the group.
Brynn passes by the other lots in order to save her coin for the spellbooks. But, when they come up for auction it's way too expensive! Even counting the half-payment made by Lady Origena, she can't afford it. ...So she low-balls!
"Ah! What overpricing! 2,500 gp," she announces. "And that's being generous!"
--Spellbooks--
"Sorry that is below the base price. Anyone else?
The Kalistocrats and Mercantile Consortium start a bidding war. The Kalistocrats eventually win at 20,000gp.