[b]"Kyren, through my devotion to the acquition of knowledge, Pharasma has deemed it her will to grant me the ability to hear or see by placing an "eye" or "ear" in a location then I can see or hear through that. I will do so now. Kenta I will watch for your signal."[b]
Having been watching the storeroom door for some time, Tal'Zeneb has had a good look at the area immediately inside. It is there that he quietly cast one of his daily allotment of clairvoyance, then settles against a column nearby to watch Kenta.
The storeroom is much larger than you would have anticipated. Most of it must be lying outside the pyramid proper.
The inside looks like a harbour warehouse. Large piles of crates and boxes line the walls and several guards patrol the room.
You have absolutely no clue in which of the crates the bill could be...
You notice that the goods that were the next on the list seem to be put in one special corner...
Perception:
Cursing lightly under his breath at the sign of guards, Kenta quickly looks around the room while his shadowy form holds. Noticing that the goods next on the list are in a special corner, Kenta moves that way...
Realising that he has no hope of finding the bill, Kenta tries to slip back outside before his shadow solidifies...
Stealth:
And has no problems getting out unnoticed.
No doubt to some surprise on behalf of the Wee Bluets, Kenta reappears ahead of schedule. "Ok... have good news and kuso news. First, Kenta not know where Bill is... room way too big and guards in there so could not look properly. But, Kenta know where Bill will be in two or three hour. Before they bring out item for bid, put in special corner. Now just have to wait and do more risky grab, yes?"
"I like the good news, but I'm not so sure about this kuso news. Do you think there is a way to get back in when the Bill comes to this special corner? I mean if you rest from now until then, can you get back in as stealthily as you just did?"
"I don't mean to get us distracted from our plan, but just feast your eyes on that beauty! Now, that would be worth spending your money on!"
But don't fall in love---if you do you'll find out she don't love you!
Alcheringa looks at the fishwoman in the bowl. There's clearly something ticking by in his head. Blaze almost unconsciously licks her lips.
"This whole place is born on slavery. The buying and selling of sentient beings runs rife here... and yet the only thing we seek to rescue is a piece of paper? The ways of you man-folk are so strange to me" Alchy continues on, waiting to set up the distraction.
"I admit, Alchy, I would feel better if we were freeing slaves in addition to finding this bill. However, I am not even sure how to begin when the captive is trapped in a goldfish bowl and unable to walk once we do get her out. She is certainly quite a catch, but realistically we would not be able to get her out of here alive. Even if we did, how would we get her to the ocean? We would also have to worry about everybody keeping their paws off of her!"
"Eh, getting paper is your idea not Kenta's. And Kenta not able to go to shadow again today... trick already gone. Maybe they auction something that help - invisible potion or other thing?" checking the auction parchment.
"Ah Kenta, you have been an amazing help, and even though you cannot go back to the shadows before the bidding, I appreciate all the help you have given. Now I like this idea of finding a potion you mentioned. I mean we are in a bazaar after all. They must sell that sort of thing nearby. Have you seen anything of that sort around here? Maybe we could race off and make the purchase before it's not too late? Normally I don't like shopping in crowds, but today would be a good day for an exception to that rule!"
The spellbook mentioned earlier could contain the spell. A potion of invisibility will most probably be for sale at one of the many stands.
"Ok, folks. It is time for a trip to the market. Anyone want to come along with me? Let's meet back here in twenty minutes.
Kyren sets off to find a potion shop as quickly as he can with whoever is willing to join him.
The potion vendor is not far away, actually opposite the pyramid. He's a grizzled man from Osirion wearing some fashionable sort of crown with a cobra on the front.
"Well met, my good sir. This is a most impressive store. I love all of these ornate flasks and bottles. It is so refreshing to go to a real quality potion shop. Tell me, do you have anything that could make my mistress invisible?"
The man smiles and shows several golden teeth
It is always a pleasure to deal with people who can appreciate good work...I take it that you don't want to turn your mistress invisible but yourself when you visit your mistress, eh? Hah!
"Well, I suppose it all depends where we are, now doesn't it, my friend? Let's just say invisibility would help facilitate our meetings when there are many eyes about. So tell me, my friend, do you have what I am looking for?"
Gazing at the mermaid in open admiration, Tal'Zeneb turns back to the Wee Bluets and sees Kyren bolting out of the auction house. I take it another plan has been hatched?
The vendor takes a small vial with a purple fluid out of a box with velvet inlay, he smiles a shark-like smile and weighs it in his hands
You wouldn't buy such a potion here at the Bazaar of Secrets if you weren't in great need of it, eh? I say 500 gp
Berry perks up sudden and terrible matters of commerce suddenly grabbing her attention.
"Really? 500 gold? A full 200gold mark up? And I tkae it you're going to tell us that this potion is somehow better than one you can purchase outside the bazaar?" Berry says with all signs of complete suspicion.
"Really? 500 gold? A full 200gold mark up? And I tkae it you're going to tell us that this potion is somehow better than one you can purchase outside the bazaar?"
"Berry, don't get yourself too worked up. You have to realize that we are in a bazaar. They always like to haggle in a bazaar. That's how they play this game. Just give me a moment and you'll see that we can come to a price that we both can agree upon."
Turning back to the vendor, Kyren replies cooly."Hehe. Ladies are such complex creatures. We can't live with them and can't live without them, but either way, we do the best we can. Clearly, my friend, you know that I am in need of this potion, but I'm sure that you would be willing to give this halfling a deal. I mean, I cannot afford the price your asking for one, but I'll give you 500 gold for two of them. If I know you are willing to work with me and the quality is up where it needs to be, I would be inclined to return here as frequently as I can."
The vendor was about to defend his price against Berry's accusations when Kyren smoothed the haggling
Seven hundred for two and it's a deal!
the man says and puts his hand forth.
Kenta stays within the auction chamber with Buta and watches proceedings while Kyren shops.
Berry's left eye twitches adn her typical light green cheeks grow darker.
Kyren shakes his hand accepting the deal. He then takes out his hefty pouch of gold and significantly lightens his load as he takes the two potions into his possession. "I thank you very much, my good sir as does my mistress! I appreciate such quality when I see it, and I will be sure to recommend you to my friends. Fare well, good sir! Come along, my dear."
Kyren departs with Berry. Once out of earshot he says, "If I had time, I would have worked him down even further, but we do not have the time for such luxuries. Well, at least we now have a tool to get us into that room."
Once Kyren returns to the auction he greets his friends saying, "Kazam, Kazam, Double Kazam. My purse is a great deal lighter than before, but we are back in business, my friends! Is there anything else about our plan that we need to work out? Kenta, with the aid of a potion or two, are you willing to return to the room and escape with the bill? Now are we set on the plan for the distraction?"
Kenta gives a genial nod "Hai, Kenta ready to do his part. Go in, get Bill - wait for Buta start squealing then come back out."
I'll be ready to aid in the distraction, or in helping Kenta get out--whatever seems best.
Kyren, when we get back, I'll cover some of the cost of those potions. You shouldn't have to pay for that yoruself.
Alcheringa nods... "We will be ready, just say when" moments later, Blaze starts rumbling and grumbling before pacing back and forth, eyes fixed on the large boar. Alcheringa simply chuckles as he wanders around a corner. After a short pause, he returns, or rather... the large cat form returns.
"Daggers, let's see if Turodan or the Andoran ambassador reimburses me first. I am sure they have resources for this sort of thing, but thank you for the kind offer, my friend. Either way, you could say that I am highly motivated to get job done!"
More weird, exotic, rare and costly items change their owners until at last the Andoran Bill of Freedom is among the three items remaining - exactly the moment Kenta downs his potion and sneaks back into the storeroom...
The pyramid has mostly emptied by now and only die-hard collectors are remaining.
Kyren sits back and watches the events unfold. In particular, he is looking for those who are waiting to bid on the Andoran Bill of Freedom. He tries to decide if any of them are criminals, fanatical collectors, or both.
Hmm? They all look so interesting. I wonder what they really want to collect and how far they would be willing to go to get it?
Kenta waits until time is near before saying one last thing to Buta "Be good Buta... no use tusk unless they bite, ok?" before quaffing the proffered potion and slipping into the storeroom...
Stealth:
"I shall watch for his sign. Tal'Zeneb says leaning back against the column , closing his eyes and connecting with his clairvoyant "eye" in the storeroom.
You have no problems entering the store room, easily you squeeze through as one of the guards moves closer to the door. Inside, nearly everything is well packed in boxes and crates, only the remaining three items lie in the corner you have spotted before - and indeed, one of them is a scroll tube!
Can Tal see that the scroll has been taken by Kenta ?
Yes, he has taken a scroll tube and put it under his vest.
The auctioneer pauses and seems to concentrate for a short moment before he signals the two door guards to move over to the store room
Perception.
Tal'Zeneb says quietly to the others "Stand ready....he has it."
Hmm? I wonder when the action is going to start?
Berry is a little ball of barely contained consumer rage.
Stealth:
...if he makes it, or even if he is intercepted on the way through the curtain, he picks out Buta within the crowd and hisses in his native language "Buta... Hataraku!"
Buta Perception:
Buta sits idle on his haunches, grunting and snuffling contentedly.
Tal'Zeneb says quietly to the others "Stand ready....he has it."
"How do you know he has it, my friend? Can you see him? What do you mean Stand ready? Am I involved in the distract part of this plan?"
Perception
Sense Motive