”You go ahead, I’ll catch you up later…” Bec says not really paying any attention to what’s being said, the word ‘lass’ made him forget about everything else. A harder and meaner battle had just started. Should he talk to her or not?
Behind Gundren you hear a cough This's my shop. I'll handle the business. Barthen Rockseeker comes forward and says I'll take a look.
Lyle grins at the shop keeper as he hefts his bag of potions and money.
"Good sir you're going to have to recognize that we have the intent of repeat, regular business. As you well known we are adventurers of the highest possible calibre, and part of adventuring is not only removing menaces from the countryside - thus increasing reliability of travellers, shipments, and your business, but purchasing supplies we need for such work. There's also the matter of selling what we find. However, if your prices remain as they are our incentive will be to bring our business elsewhere. So, perhaps you could give us a better deal on these items for sale on the assurance we will be back with more after our next mission?"
After Lyle helps negotiate the sale, he purchases some items for himself.
"Thaank you, excellent. Now, where could a fellow of my own economic stature buy a riding dog in this town? I think I have a lot of travelling ahead of me."
Barthen's eyes gleam at the prospect of making more coin off your adventuring exploits Huh. I guess we have a deal then.
In response to Lyle's question No one I know, not much need of riding dogs here in Phandalin. The Lionshield has some horses but, no dogs.
The smell of the forge and the sound of the hammer upon the anvil makes Morgran homesick for a moment, but then his hands get that familiar itch to them and his smithing tools seem to weigh just a bit more making them noticeable to him in his backpack.
"Master smith a moment of your time." Morgran calls out when the smith has set his own work to the side to cool, holding out a ladle of water for the smith to slack his thirst from.
Placing the money for the healing kits on the counter, Duncan returns to the Inn to meet with the others.
"Master smith, I would request the use of your forge to fashion a battleaxe for myself and some throwing stars for another of my companions. I would need the use of your forge perhaps two and a half days, I would gladly help you the remainder of the week while we are in town. Yet, I am in service to Gundren Rockseeker and when he desires to leave on his next mission I must go as well."
Hallia Thornton, guildmaster of the Miner's Exchange, agrees with Morgran's request.
Perhaps we can be of mutual assistance to each other. I have a problem also that maybe you could assist me with.
Andrei sells the 5 longswords and 3 morningstars for half price. He puts 60gp and splits it 5 ways.
He then sells the cup, censer and blade. Normally these would be worth 330gp but the dwarf will only pay 75% of their face value and so only manages to sell them for 247gp and 5 silver coins.
This he also splits 5 ways, and gets 49gp and 5 silvers each.
His job done, he hands around the gold - 61gold and 5 silvers each and follows the dwarf to the forge. He wants to see what armour is available but for the moment the cost of splint mail eludes him.
Duncan thanks Andrei and takes his money. Instead of returning to the Inn, he decides to take a walk around town.
While the dwarf is talking to the Smiths, Andrei is looking for armour.
Having done his shopping for now, Lyle takes a walk around town, stopping to speak with anyone who seems friendly enough to gather some information on goings-on.
@Lyle Everyone seems to be discussing the latest brazen string of crimes perpetrated by the Redbrands and their leader Glasstaff. They hauled a man out of his home and proceeded to beat him almost to death before robbing him.
Bec continues at the inn. Trying to gather courage and talk to the lass. But is failing miserably.
"More beer" he orders and he doesn't even like beer.
Andrei looks on the smiths wares forlornly but with some inner hope of owning a set of splint mail in the future - he could afford a set now but would not have the wherewithal to eat and for lodgings.
I'd just need a small loan - 10 gold pieces would do it. Would my companions agree to a small advance against future earnings?, he wonders.
Nodding, Lyle makes his way over to the inn for a pint of beer. He waves over to Bec and settles in beside the enormous warrior.
"What troubles you mighty warrior? I've never seen a many enjoy a beer less."
Morgran, I have a proposition for you before you start any potential smith work. I hate to ask but would a small loan of say 10 gold be possible? I need to buy some better armour but need to eat as well. I'd gladly repay the loan from future earnings.
Morgran ponders Andrei's request but a moment before replying ... "On one condition, when you next have need of a new suit it will be commisioned through me. If the time was available I'd create the suit myself this time, but alas I doubt Gundrun will delay that long."
"Can't have you going hungry can I" Morgran says with a wink.
Turning back to Guild master Thornton, My apologies guild master, I believe you mentioned a problem I or we might be able to help you with?"
Morgran ponders Andrei's request but a moment before replying ... "On one condition, when you next have need of a new suit it will be commisioned through me. If the time was available I'd create the suit myself this time, but alas I doubt Gundrun will delay that long."
"Can't have you going hungry can I" Morgran says with a wink.
Done and gladly, says Andrei smacking his hand into Morgrans'.
He heads to the Blue Lion Coasters to sell his old mail and replace it with a suit of splint mail.
Hallia Thornton, Guildmaster of the Miner's Exchange, replies to Morgran
The Redbrands have gone too far. They have interrupted trade and made life hard on the Exchange. This cannot continue, their depredations have become a nuisance and they need to be swatted. The Exchange will pay 100gold to whomever can stop them, alive or dead.
"We have heard about the Redbrands before, strange I thought the sherriff/magistrate/maybe it was the mayor said they were harmless when Andrei asked about them; but guild business is the guild's business. Master Thornton I hope you understand I will need to present this offer to my companions as we have only just returned to town last night. What can you tell us about these Redbrands and their habits?"
They are the worst sort of layabouts, good for nothing but trouble. They hang around the Sleeping Giant all day. And she leans in and whispers I've heard rumors they use the old Tresendar place as a base of operations. Ol' Geddy says he saw em coming out the cellar nearly 2 weeks ago
"Sleeping Giant and the old Tresendar place, noted. I will talk to the others and Lyle and Duncan will be those most likely to cheeck on those locals. With your permission though I will begin my projects and we will discuss the offer over lunch when we meet again."
Morgran will do just that, excusing himself from Mistress Thornton and setting to work on the blnk for his axehead. Folding a lighter metal in with darker ore for a marbled look when complete. The process of folding the metal takes the remainder of the morning as he layers the metals with a binding powder between them then heats them to a bright red consistancy, and pounds it back flat mixing the two metals, folding it over and over again
At lunch he willmeet with the others and discuss the Guild Mistress proposal.
I went off to the sleeping Giant...but never heard anything about it....
Things were started to get a little bit brighter! Beck news he was almost ready to talk to the king himself! Only he wasn’t sure there was a king. In any event he takes a deep breath, gathering his courage and…
”Gimmeanother beer!”
Feeling good about his new purchase, Andrei heads back to the forge to check on Morgran before heading out to find Lyle.
Duncan heads to the Sleeping Giant tap room alone.
As he approaches he notices that its a slummy run down building at the end of Phandalin's main road. Four human ruffians linger on the porch perched on empty ale barrels or slumped against the wall. They all wear grimy scarlet cloaks, their sullen stares are fixed on you as you approach. One of the thugs spits on the ground. Well well, its a little puppy. What do you want puppy? Come here to bark at us?
At lunch, "Guild Mistress Thornton has work for us, seems the Redbrands have been causing trouble for the guild and they need them removed from the trouble causing business. It's worth 100gp to them for us to do the work. They've been known to hang out at the Sleeping Giant and we're seen leaving the cellars below the old Tresander place a couple weeks back. Have you guys heard anything about them."
Morgran ask, watching Bec from the corner of his eye. what's wrong with him, he's drinking like a man about to go on a dangerous mission for which he lacks the courage?
Having grownup in some of the worst slums in Korvoso, Duncan knows a thug when he sees one.
"Just out for a morning stroll gents. Might get a pint in the tavern, if you think the place warrants it. New to town and just trying to get the lay of the land, you understand. Do not want to be crossing anybodies territory unknowing like, am I right?"
For the time being he keeps to the street, not letting any of the thugs get behind him.
Having the criminal background, I assume that Duncan would have picked up the manners and actions to relay that he has some knowledge of this part of society. Perhaps not a full knowledge of Thieves Cant, but maybe picked up a phrase her and there which marks him as a criminal type?? He is trying to get these thugs to maybe mistake him as a thief, and a possible ally...if that is at all possible
The thugs are halted momentarily by Duncan's familiarity with their ways.
"Gimmeanotherbeer!" Bec asks when the barkeeper keeps ignoring his requests.
"Dinnae hear? I'm Bec the Mighty and I WANT BEER!" he yells the last part, already drunk.
Great...I just did not want to over reach and assume something that might not be!
Deception (w/advantage):
wow...those were some sucky rolls..lol
Well pup. You met your match today..give us all your gold. And those pretty knives too. And maybe we won't kill ya...
The men draw blades and fan out to encircle Duncan.
"Well now, 4 against 1. A bit over the top, wouldn't you say. You got the big mouth, why don't you show your friends that you can back up those threats. Hate to see you loose face with your boys!"
Duncan draws his wavy-bladed shortsword and moves out into the centre of the street, making sure none of the gang gets behind him.
Raah the biggest one charges at Duncan.
and hits the Monk for
Got ya now pup!
Duncan is up
Where is Lyle?, Andrei wonders before spotting him talking to people in the street.
Ho! Lyle, what need?
Ok..this might be dumb, but if I attack him and use my KI to gain 2 extra attacks and put him down, can I then move through his spot and keep the others from surrounding me?
Duncan looks at the thug while wiping a trickle of blood from his nose and nods his head.
"Well that was pretty good. You were able to tag me in the face...but now it is MY turn."
Attack-melee:
Damage:
Flurry of blows (1 ki)
Attack-melee:
Damage:
Attack-melee:
Damage:
Duncan lashes out and connects hard with the Thug. He staggers back...and withdraws away from Duncan.
The other three Thugs come charging in
+4 Duncan dodges the first two blows, but the last one lands
Yer gonna die for that PUP! one Thug with very bad halitosis says
Lyle looks up, waving his little hand over to Andrei.
"Andrei! How goes the battle? As far as I can tell most people around here are just irritated by the Redblades."