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As the Pathfinders travel to Daggermark, Krieger recalls what he already knows about Daggermark.
"Although I've never been to Daggermark, I have read numerous Chronicles from agents who served there and spoken with one or two."
Krieger shares what he knows, "Daggermark is the largest city in the River Kingdoms, an anarchical community infamous for its Assassin's Guild and allied Poisoner's Guild. The rates for their services are quite affordable and likely explain why the residents take pains to avoid offending one another. Leaders of the city avoid controversial policies or a hired Guild member terminates them."
He pauses a moment to reflect, then warns the party. "My analysis indicates that we should comport ourselves in Daggermark with careful politeness. We can also conclude that the Iobarian merchant Johannes Vox might be affiliated with one or both guilds. If we approach him, we should exercise caution."
"Also, in her journal, Ulisha mentioned she had misgivings about Vox. If we decide to seek a merchant other than him, I should be able to help us find another buyer for the spiders' poison glands."
Krieger turns to his companions, "Do any of you know anything about these 'dreadful' poisonous spiders that Ulisha mentioned?"
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"Hey wow, you sure do know a lot about Daggermark, Krieger - do you travel much?" Palo asks, looking rather impressed. "Glad to have someone else along that knows the lay of the land around here, so to speak."
"But I don't know a thing about the spiders," she adds with a shake of her head. "I'd say that between Lyn and our slug-riding companion we can probably get by though - right?"
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"Oddly enough I haven't had to deal with Giant Spiders too often. I can usually convince them to search elsewhere's for a meal. Their bite though does produce a weakening poison if you manage to get hit with it."
He continues to ride along on Sunny even getting her motivated after some brief snack breaks along the way.
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Then it occurs to Krieger, "Linria Korudorn and Ashwell, didn't you both recently encounter giant spiders? I recall reading a Chronicle about the 'Master of the Fallen Fortress.'"
Krieger scowls and shakes his head, "However, the version I saw was submitted by agent Gitano Frallino, so the report seemed to take significant literary license. It tended more towards self-aggrandizement and lacked useful details."
Sayra nudges Lyn against the leg
"Alright, I will share what I know. But don't ask me why I know this, it is a story I might tell you later, but not now."
She stands taller and recites "Giant spiders are known for their venom, which is known to weaken their prey. Their webs contain a strong adhesive that is used as a stabilizer in volatile poisons. This adhesive is most valuable when it is fresh; the silk glands of a freshly killed spider are the best source. I happen to know exactly where these silk glands are located. This will help us in extracting these from a spider. But first we have to find one and kill it."
The map you found in the journal leads you from the outskirts of Daggermark into the Shroudwood to the city’s southeast. As you approach your, signs of obvious spider habitation increase, and especially large cobwebs link some of the higher branches. None of these are fresh enough to harvest adhesive as Lyn is quick to point out. Soon you enter a clearing.
The webs are thicker in this clearing than they have been thus far, appearing newer and white, rather than the dingy gray of those seen earlier. These webs crisscross the canopy above, most strands meeting near the center to support a large globe of webbing the size of a large pumpkin.
Near that large globe of webbing Ashwell, Hanlin, Krieger and Palomia spot two giant spiders...
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Hanlin nods along with great interest as Lin describes the giant spiders "I must admit, I've always had a soft spot for insects, be they large or small." He lovingly pets Sunny, paying no heed to the thick coating of slime on his hand now.
"Its a real shame we'll need to murder one to harvest its silk glands. They're just trying to defend their homes and fill their bellies, they have no malice in their hearts, no matter how small they are."
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Hanlin spots the spiders as he sees Ashwell pointing them out. He sighs and motions for everyone to stop and stay calm and quiet. From a distance he dismounts Sunny and converses with Lin "Which do you believe is the male? I bet that is an egg sac there. If you try to approach they will both likely attack and both be killed, and their eggs will likely die with them. Let me try to calm them down and maybe, just maybe, if you absolutely must, we can draw the male out alone to sacrifice himself for the others." This is frivolous, but I guess if I can maybe save one of them I should try.
He slowly walks towards the spiders until he gets to be 30' away and makes soothing hums and clicking sounds with his tongue, doing his best to calm them.
If things seem to have an effect Hanlin will calmly lead the group away from the spiders. "Come now, lets make a bit of distance between the spiders. I want to try something that should let us sacrifice just one."
Once they have some distance he'll cast a spell.
Lyn speaks up before Hanlin can move towards the spiders "Wait Hanlin, I think that bulging webbing over there is fresh enough that we can harvest the adhesive from that"
Hanlin carefully moves forward, leaving Sunny behind. After a minute of making clicking noises and moving in strange patterns the spiders seem to be less agitated
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Krieger seethes in frustration. There is no time to call forth the Foreigner.
He calls out softly to the dwarf, "Druid, are you certain you can maintain their calm even while you disturb their nest?"
To the others, Krieger suggests, "Shouldn't we move close enough to assist Hanlin, if he needs our help?"
Without waiting for a reply he moves cautiously up to one of the trees, using its trunk as cover and some concealment.
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Hanlin stops and smiles when Lin shares that nugget of info "That's great news! But if it is indeed a nest of eggs I can't imagine they'll react kindly, but who knows for sure."
"Is there anyone skilled at climbing that could get us what we need? I have a spell that should calm them down again if they don't like what we do..."
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Krieger withdraws a few supplies from his rucksack. "I have a knotted silk rope and a grappling hook, and this climber's kit might also be helpful."
"I'm not a particularly skilled climber, but I am willing to try."
Reassured by Hanlin's confidence and calm, but ready to draw his greatsword if the spiders attack, Krieger moves up to the tree near the hanging glob of webbed goo.
Krieger swings the grappling hook and rope in a circle and tosses it over a branch.
Bracing himself against the tree, Krieger climbs the knotted rope.
While Hanlin calms the two giant spiders Krieger quickly climbs up and gathers big arms of webbing. He carefully places it in his pack and climbs back down. He slowly backs away and a few moments later Hanlin joins him. The gnome investigates the webbing and finds no nest in it, but plenty of the sought after adhesive.
You go back to Daggermark, not sure whether you want to sell your hoard to this Johannes Vox.
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During the trek from the forest to sell the adhesive in Daggermark, Krieger shares his thoughts with the party.
"In her journal, Ulisha indicated she had previous dealings with her buyer, Johannes Vox. Even though she distrusted the Iobarian, he might have information that would help us track the scholar down."
"Even if we choose to sell the adhesive to another merchant, it might be wise to have a talk with him."
As the city comes into view, Krieger offers to ask around and try to find another potential buyer and negotiate a fair price for the party's treasure.
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Hanlin rides back to town in style, waves in delight to any and all who pass and flipping the bird to any who raise their nose at him once they've gone by. "You're doing great Sunny, I know we didn't pass any cabbage farms, so I'll get you a nice big cabbage once we get to town ok?"
Once Krieger explains his plan Hanlin nods along "That sounds pretty great of you, I can't say I enjoy the cobbled streets or thick crowds of town myself, but Vox could point us in a direction we didn't know to go before. This place's reputation sounds pretty iffy, lets try to stick together ok?"
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"Yeah, but just keep in mind that if we go sniffing around this Vox guy and dropping names then he's probably going to figure out we've got something worth buying," Palomia reminds them. "I don't mind selling to whoever as long as we're sure we're getting fair shake - if Vox does make an offer then we need to make sure we're getting a good deal."
Krieger talks to some people and learns that a gnome would-be apothecary, Ezmerlilly Vanderpoof, recently failed to deliver some promised goods to the Poisoners’ Guild. She needs something to appease the guild before they decide to drastically renegotiate their contract.
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"Miss Palomia's concerns about Johannes Vox getting wind of our inquiries are indeed valid. To get a better sense of the item's fair market value, I suggest we risk one more attempt to find a buyer, compare the two offers, then decide if and how we wish to approach the Iobarian."
Krieger reveals to the party what he's learned.
"So, we have a decision to make. Accept an offer we already have, or seek out this Vox."
"I would like to question the Iobarian about Ulisha, but we should decide our course of action together. What do you think?"
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Hanlin heads to town with whoever will go with, eager to buy that cabbage for Sunny, and while he's there he may as well mention something about spider webbing. He heads to the market in search of cabbage, and maybe a few carrots for himself, and while there he does his inquiry: "So.... anyone know anyone that buys spider webbing? No? Just checking. Thanks for the carrots, and Sunny here loves that cabbage!"
He rides along merrily, leaving quite a slug trail in his wake.
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"I guess Relas and I can go with you - maybe between the three...er, four, of us, we'll be able to learn a little more," Palomia offers after Krieger shares what he's learned about Miss Vanderpoof.
At the market, Palomia occupies herself with looking for strawberries as they make their enquiries. "So no one around here buys the stuff or sells it? That's a shame, I'd always heard that spider webbing made for some good, uh...tailoring materials. Real popular with the nobles..."
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Lyn suddenly coughs violently and chokes up a ball of twigs and grass. How it got there is anyone's guess. "Ugh, sorry. This is why I've been so quiet," she wipes her mouth.
"I can help find a buyer too!" Lyn says as she follows Hanlin and Palomia into town. "I have a way with men, you know." Awkward wink.
Lyn and Palomia go into town with Ashwell. Lyn winks at some men while Ashwell talks to them. Meanwhile Palomia is very good at faking ignorance...
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Krieger listens with interest to what the others learned.
"We have located two interested buyers in addition to Ulisha's old contact, Johannes Vox. In her journal, Ulisha seemed to indicate she was ready to find a new buyer. Why don't we sell to Ezmerilly Vanderpoof or Narngar Ninefingers, then question the Iobarian about Ulisha."
Krieger offers his opinion, "I suspect the gnome apothecary, Ezmerlilly Vanderpoof, might offer us a good price. She has reason to fear the Poisoners’ Guild. She needs something to appease them."
He turns to the undine psychic, "Ashwell, what intelligence have you gathered regarding Narngar Ninefingers? Might the dwarf offer us a better price?"
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"Sounds like either one would be willing to offer a lot...but if this Ninefingers guy can't pay his gambling debts then how do we know he'll be able to pay us?" Palomia asks with a shake of her head. "Normally I'd agree with Ashwell about weak people making poor businessmen but I think it's an awfully big risk. Vanderpoof sounds like she'd be in a better position to pay."
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"Perhaps we might engage Ninefingers in a friendly way... And share a mug o' ale to loosen the coins in 'is grasp!" Lyn puts on her best impression of a dwarf, which comes off as a lot more accurate than one might expect. "Either way, we can at least see what he's willing to pay and compare it to Vanderpoof... What a name... Vanderpoof's deal."
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Hanlin doesn't really have much else to add to the conversation other than the occasional loud crunch of a fresh carrot under his teeth. "So long as they pay well I can't imagine it matter much either way. Flip a coin if you want or meet with them both."
Its pretty evident that Hanlin is no business man.
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Krieger acknowledges his fellow Pathfinders, "Keen insights and thoughtful analysis, all, well done."
Krieger turns to Lyn, Palo and Hanlin, "We seem to be at an impasse. Linria Korudorn, does Sayra prefer one merchant to the other? Perhaps, Hanlin, you could speak to Sunny and let us know his preference? And, if Miss Palomia doesn't object, Relas, do you have anything to add?"
If we still can't find a majority consensus, please may the psychic Ashwell have a familiar in his pocket.
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Hanlin nods to Krieger as he munches the carrot, pulling a coin from his pocket he flips it in the air and catches it to reveal... "Looks like Sunny and I are all in on this gamblin' Dwarf!" He smiles and puts the coin away and takes another loud bit out of the carrot before holding the end of it out for Sunny to rasp at with her long, acidic tongue.
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"Well...the gnome sounds like she might be nicer and I'd rather deal with nice people but if most of us want to talk to the dwarf then I won't kick up a fuss," Relas says. "I'm mainly just here to help keep Palo on the straight and narrow....but thanks for asking!"
If a panther-eidolon-thing could beam, it's pretty apparent that Relas would be beaming. "Most people usually don't care about what I think...they just seem to want Palo to tell me to shred things."
You enter a small shop at the eastern part of Daggermark, between the outer and inner wall. A bell clings when you open the door and you notice a portly dwarf ducking away behind the counter.
He shows himself, still trembling a bit "I am sorry, I thought you were somebody else. How can I help you?"
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It appears Sunny has had enough riding for one day. After she finishes consuming her fresh cabbage and the ends of a few carrots, Sunny's eye stalks glaze over more than usual. Try as he may, Hanlin just can't get her to bear him to this Dwarf's shop. "Fine, I guess you need a rest anyhow with your belly so full. I'll lead you on with the rope." He waddles his little fat self along with the bulk of his equipment piled in her saddlebags.
Once he arrives at the shop he ties her lead to a post, pats her sticky back a few times and heads inside with the others. "Good afternoon Mr Ninefingers. We've been looking for you, mind if we come in and have a chat?" He pauses to glance around the room for anything that stands out.
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"You bet, Mishka. But you are a much better speaker than I," Lyn says, biting her lip. "Perhaps you should lead?"
Either way, entering the shop, Linria puts on her best dwarven accent, much to Sayra's vexation. "'Ey thar ol' Ninefingers! Say, do ya really have nine fingers? What's the story behind that anyhow?! Minin' accident? Wrestlin'? A wee bit too much ale and a tumble over a table? Ya scurvy tar, ya gotta be more careful!"
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Krieger leans over the counter and peers down at the frightened dwarf.
"Peace, Narngar Ninefingers, we are aware of your gambling debts, but we are not here to collect them."
Krieger lets that sink in for a moment before continuing.
"Your situation is desperate, but we may be able to help one another." He sets the collected webbing on the counter. "Offer us a fair price for this rare alchemical ingredient, acquired by us at significant risk, and we will sell you the means to escape your lenders' wrath. There are other buyers; let us not dither."
Krieger nods, as Lyn adds her two coppers to the negotiations.
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Relas pads along behind Palomia and the others, right into the shop. Try as he might, he still had trouble remembering that there were many folks on the Material who simply viewed him as a beast and not an intelligent being.
As Lyn opens up negotiations, he looks at her quizzically and then over to Palomia. "Palo, was that a foreign language?" he whispers. "I want to try it!"
Clearing his throat, he turns to the dwarf and rumbles, "It be like they say, we're willin' to do ya square on this here deal iffin' yer willin' to do likewise!"
He then excitedly whispers, "How was that? Did I do it right?" to Lyn.