Salonius scans the locket with detect magic and ponders the symbol.
"It was her's. It has no meaning to us." Maggie replies.
The water is about hip deep. And as it's no actual sewer, but a drain pipe it would be not too disgusting to go there. But you have no clue how far it will be that deep.
Fhingle goes about cleaning the shop up and making sure stuff is ready for the day. When Saul heads down stairs Fhingle follows him, "I want to help with some painting as well." Fhingle gets a brush and goes about helping out with some painting.
"Laria said we should look for people, how do we go about doing that? Saul?"
When Saul returns from below he asks, "What did you find my friend?"
"Oh, that necklace is rather sad really... It is not magical it just reads mother in elven..." Salonius says, wondering what kind of life the Dire Corby had, not a happy one I imagine.
"So what is the plan? We need to find somewhere the Tengu can source food without drawing unwanted attention right? Can we do that while heading to the magic shops?"
B]"as for the Silver Ravens I believe these have yet to be set, so if I have the right of it you need to place a drop of your blood between their brows and clearly state a single word or phrase as its new Command Word. They are basically handy messengers, you send them to a specific place you know, or a prominent landmark, and they allow anyone to take the message. I believe they retain their metallic consistency so they should be tough, I am not sure if they maintain their color which might be problematic. We can only test them I suppose?"[/b]
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"Little Mac, that is some of the best basement wall paintings I have ever seen. What is that? An angel mural?"
To Jhen, Saul says "I don't think we need a boat, if you don't mind your legs getting wet. And it is a storm sewer, not a human sewer, so it is just rain and rats, I imagine."
To Salonius, Saul says " Well, I drew 'em a great map, gave them some disguises, and marked a good grocery for them. I think we need to give them space for now. All of us are their employers and can give orders, but I think we have done what we can for the time being. Let them buy their food and get started in cleaning and painting our new headquarters. Now, shall we check out the storm sewer? And after, let's talk more about how to get others to sit up and pay attention to what the Thrunes are doing."
Saul sets off to investigate the sewers with everyone interested to come along. First problem, like with all of the basement is: no light. And cold waist deep water is not pleasant. While waist deep is true for everyone but Fhingle.
Meliandri shrugs as Fhingle ignores her offer of employment. Other opportunities will come around, or maybe other halflings more interested in keeping their lifestyles without being proper slaves. Instead, she stands, slipping her arm into Salonius's and steering him toward the exit. "I could go for some shopping now. Shall we?"
"We can come along if you want." Maggie offers to Saul.
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Saul lights a torch and hands it to one of the Tengu. "Please. Hopefully we find a good way out in case of emergencies. Or, if you would like, a regular exit for any of us who want to come and go quietly."
Saul leads the way into the water. He pokes ahead of himself with the longspear, just in case the floor drops off.
Jhen tentatively follows alongside Saul he rapier held in front of him as if he trying to keep the evil at bay. "I'll keep a look out," he says hoping he doesn't step into anything squishy.
The depth of the water vairies, but it gets mostly shallower, and not deeper than it is at the pier. After running for about 200feet in a slight curve the sewer tunnel meets another one.
Salonius nods, allowing himself to be steered while calling back over his shoulder, "Ahhh? Yes certainly. Is there anything the rest of you want us to lookout for? If there are no objections I will take along the magical leather armor, and the scrolls to sell? Perhaps we could leave exploring the storm sewer until after dark so the whole group can attend? I imagine there will be little danger, but I am frequently wrong and there is strength in numbers."
He then leads the way, or at least points out the way, to Jarvis End, gesticulating to Kintargo's finest dance hall the Three-legged Devil as they pass, "I have had some good times in there. My first kiss with Aden... Ummm, Aden.. etta? Jhaltero. One of my sisters swung from the chandelier and broke her leg - though she still claims it was worth it, she landed on a Sarini - diabolists and Thrune lovers all."
Eventually he spies Crissali’s Fine Tomes and makes his way into the establishment eyes a gleam as he takes in the books and scrolls all around,
"But this, this is better than any dance hall! Look at those bindings, gorgeous! Is that Polymander's Epiphrical Musing on Diaphanous Beings! I have been on the libraries hold lists for three months for that! And looks at the cover leather is that snakeskin?!"
Searching for the proprietor he calls, "Hello? Your wares are simply sublime, could we discuss making some, sadly, minor purchases, and selling some items?"
"Something I was shown once I was a free person, Not 100% sure but Irori showed it to me." Fhingle offers to cast a light spell on Sauls weapon before he leaves hoping they will be back in under 2 hours.
"Can you get me some other painting materials?" Fhingle asks, then sort of cowers a bit as he realizes he asked something of someone. After a minute with no one raising a hand agianst him Fhingle pulls out his coin purse and hands over some coins.
"Almost everything you see here is for sale, if you have the coin to afford it. And I might make you an offer for your ites, if they are interesting and in good condition." Nandy Crissali, the human woman who owns the shop answers.
"Great! Ahhh, do you mind a bit of enthusiastic browsing, with the eyes of course? Hmmm, should probably show you what we have first... Alright. We have several scrolls here, and a set of magical armor, all should be in good condition freshly prestidigitated."
He lays out the suit of magical leather armor and the scrolls of Misdirection, Whispering Wind, Undetectable Alignment, and Pass without Trace,
"Here we are. I hope you will consider them. I believe many should be interested in these troubled times for Kintargo. As for the armor I am not sure whether you deal in such things? If not I would be deeply appreciative if you could suggest an appropriate place to sell it. Then perhaps you could steeer us towards some of your lower priced magical wares?"
"I don't deal in armor, but let me check on these scrolls." Crissali replies.
She speaks a word to work some magic and takes her time to read the scrolls. Once she is done she offers "I'll buy these at half price."
"While you ponder my offer, would you care to tell, what are lower priced means? Everything here is pretty expensive."
Salonius glances at Meliandri to see if she has any objections. Then he nods venturing a tentative grin, "Done, delighted to do business with you. Am I right in tallying that to, ummm, 237gp and 5sp? If so could you show us some of your more affordable wares?"
"Left," Jhen decides tilting his head in that direction.
"Oh, and sorry, by lowerer priced, probably 500gp or less? Maybe a little more if it is a particularly exciting item? Can I also ask if you allow copying from spellbooks? Or even if you have any spellbooks for sale?"
"Yes to both. Copying for the usual fees. Spellbooks in your price range I don't think I have though. And the items I can offer for that are mostly scrolls."
"You're searching for something in particular?" Crissali inquires.
As Saul, Jhen and the four Tengu move around the corner and a few steps on they all suddenly hear the sound of a flute coming from behind.
Fhingle hurries after Saul and such being about 20' behind them
Salonius stares lustfully at the shelves, "Hmmm? Ahhh, yes sorry, I suspected your books would be greater than apprentice level fare I could afford, but you do not get if you do not ask. Do you happen to know if you have any of the following spells available for copying," he produces his spellbook and flicks to the inside backcover of the well loved tomb where he keeps a list of desired spells.
"Peacebond, Protection from Evil, Rite of Centered Mind, Adhesive Spittle, Obscuring Mist, Secluded Grimoire, Unseen Servant, Web Bolt, Heightened Awareness, Keep Watch, Memorize Page, Memory Lapse, Clarion Call, Sculpt Corpse, Fabricate Disguise, Liberating Command, Touch of the Sea, Wizened Appearance... And for second tier spells... Oh, ummm, I guess that is more than enough to be going on with?"
"Probably all of that somewhere. But no dabbling in necromancy for fooling around with the dead for you." she replies.
Salonius blinks, "Oh? Scult Corpse you mean? I can see how it could be put to nefarious use, but I assure you that was not my intent, but I would not want to make you uncomfortable. How much longer are you open?"
Turning to Meliandri with his best attempt at puppy dog eyes he wheedles, "Mel, would you mind staying here for a couple of hours? No three! I need all of the shiny new spells! Umm, I mean they could prove useful? I super want them? I'll scribe some scrolls for you..."
"Any specific order? Or should I just bring you the special ink and the books to copy until you run out of time or money?" Crissali asks.
Fhingle tries to follow after Sual and Jhen, finding the deeper waters to him difficult to navigate
Salonius grins gleefully looking particularly boyish, "Hmmm, let us go with Wizened Appearance, Unseen Servant, and Obscuring Mist for now. Oh, and do you have a blank spellbook I can purchase?"
"You put the coins on the counter, I get you the book." Crissali tells and pulls out a drawer with her index system in it. She closes it again and goes to fetch a book from one of the many shelves. She opens it and puts it in front of Salonius with the page open containing this spell.
Next she produces an ink that looks like molten gold and platin flowting in black oil, a feather - probably from an owl - and an empty spellbook.
"Mels, please, if you 'ave to shorten it." Meliandri looks around for a chair. If she's going to be there for hours, she's going to be comfortable.
"Ahhh? I do not have to shorten it at all if you do not like it Meliandri? most of my sisters call me Sallie, most of the time, which I positively loathe, so the last thing I want to do is anoint a friend with an unwelcome appellation - I quite like Saul's S though, it is both succinct and dfiscrete. You might have noticed I am not the slickest individual so, um, well I was just trying to be, ah, you know?" Salonius replies to Mels tousling his hair as he speaks, leaving it a little wild.
He lays out 60gp upon the counter and sets to work furiously scribing, shooting Meliandri an occasional apologetic glance.
"Excellent that should do it! Thank you Madam, sorry are you the titular Crissali? I was too excited to ask. In anycase you can expect to see me again if that is alright?"
Turning to Meliandri he winces, "Sorry to keep you waiting I really appreciate it, books are just... Well anyway we should be able to hit Vespam Artisans if we walk briskly! Thank goodness this is only leather armor, if I was carrying mail I would be a wreck."
As Saul, Jhen and the four Tengu move around the corner and a few steps on they all suddenly hear the sound of a flute coming from behind.
Moving further in the tunnel you find it pretty clean. The water gets more and more shallow until it is dry again. One or two rats come past, but they give you a wide berth. The tunnel, as it only carries water has not much to offer to those little rodents.
Finally you see a light at the end of the tunnel. And end means dead end in this case. The sun shines in through a massive iron grate, about five foot in diameter in the ceiling of the tunnel.
It is only a short walk from Crissali’s Fine Tomes to Vespam Artisans, One of the larger and healthier businesses to remain in Old Kintargo. Operated by Vespasio Vespam, a fifth-generation Kintargan, the employees of this metalworking boutique operate similarly to a tinkers’ guild. All matter of strange devices, toys, and (rarely) magic items can be purchased here.
Salonius glances around fascinated, but a little lost amidst the technology I am sure it would be extremely rewarding if I was to make a study of it, but alas who has the time to study all things?
He looks around for someone with an air of authority and makes his way over, "Excuse me I am trying to sell a suit of magical leather armor is there any chance you would be interested in purchasing it? Or failing that if you could direct us to someone who might be interested, that would also be greatly appreciated."
The shop is a metal workshop so no one leaps to the eye. One big broad shouldered guy points you to the proprioter Vespassio Vespam. Confronted with the offer to buy a magical leather armor he appraises the quatlity and the probable worth of it.
"That looks like a fine item. I'll pay you..." he ponders it some more "... let's say 900gold. What do you say?"
Salonius looks to Meliandri frowning slightly, "Ahhh, I think that is very generous Master Vespam, and I certainly trust your expertise against my own, but perhaps we could do 800gp? As honestly I was not expecting quite such a high valuation and I am hopeful we will be able to do business in the future. I would not want to overcharge you."
Vespam looks at you, not sure what to make of this, but accepts the offer. "Looks like that might become an interesting business relationship." he tells and puts the leather armor away. He goes to the back into an office room and comes back after a short time with the 80pp in a pouch.
Fhingle takes Saul's hands, trying desperately not to let any of the foul stagnant water into his mouth.
"I think i am ok now, thank you." Fhingle says while taking deep breaths. As they find the grate Fhingle looks out, "think we could make this into more of a door?"
Above you hear talking and steps of the people who walk through the streets and into the park.
Salonius smiles, handing over the armor and taking the coin, "I hope so, aside from me and my companions living a rather adventurous lifestyle of late, I am planning to start magical crafting in the near future. I like to think that if you are fair with people, for the most part, they will return the favor - though that is hardly official Kintargo policy these days..."
Looking to Meliandri he adds, "To the Salt Market then? I should imagine we can pick up Fhingle's painting supplies there... Provided I did not dawdle too long scribing. If nothing else it is a chance for some bracing sea air, and the pungent aroma of fish, which if nothing else reminds you how lucky you are not to be smelling it the rest of the time."
Once there he hunts around for the stalls that supply builders looking for appropriate items, brushes, a step ladder, etc.
"Our prices here are always fair." Vespam replies and ponders already what to sell to this young man. "You want to buy a magical ring? That's an item that bookish adventurers like you prefer to the heavy armor you just sold."
"I really did not mean to imply otherwise Master Vespam, but value can be a subjective matter, especially with unusual items. As for the ring it certainly would be of interest, but unfortunately these funds are being split between five of us so my budget is not nearly as robust as I would like. If you have anything around the 500gp mark I would certainly take a good long look."
"That would be our mundane stuff. Excellent quality, ..." but looking up and down Salonius he adds "But probably nothing that would interest you."
"What about the lady? You seem to value a well crafted blade." he tells pointing to the rapier Meliandri brought along.
Saul looks around, but he would have to climb to reach the grate and then he would have no leverage to push. Costs for iron were obviously no issue when this was created, and despite having rusted a bit the thing would weigh above 200 pounds.
And even if Saul would find a way to be able to work here would the decades this thing has been in place negate everything but heavy gear from doing anything here.