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Khismia and Aleric fail to make their blows land on the Spider's yet both Patros and Sven are successful in felling the beasts with powerful blows.
With the spider's felled you look around for the adhesive Ulisha spoke about in her note. It is not difficult to find as the most concentrated web is around a nest of Spider's eggs. Cutting and storing the web proves an easy feat and you acquire enough for a sizeable profit margin.
The spider's silk glands would also make a fine price at Daggermark but will need to be carefully harvested.
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Unfortunately Patros' skills do not suit the subtle nature of gland removal and he slices into them, making them effectively worthless for trading. Taking time to cure your wounds and gather as much of the adhesive as you can without ruining it you now have to find someone to buy the merchandise.
The note leads you back to Daggermark and a trader by the name of Johannes Vox whom Ulisha has had dealings with in the past. He seems your best port of call at this juncture but should you wish more avenues can looked into.
I will take the first choice that has two PCs agreeing.
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Heading back into town you spend a few hours discussing with locals about the various Alchemical traders in the area. Settling on the Gnome who seems to be in trouble, it is not difficult to find Vanderproof's store.
Entering 'Lily's Alembic' you find the shelves well stocked but a keen eye spots that this has been expertly laid out to look so, with the most expensive items to the fore. Behind them many of the shelves are bare or hold only the most common ingredients. Behind the counter, on a tall stool, sits a Gnome with cherry blossom hair and a stained apron.
Starting at the sound of the bell, she smiles when she sees that you are outsiders and relaxes slightly. Coughing, she speaks.
"Hello and welcome to Lily's Alembic, I am Ezmerlily Vanderproof, proprietor here. Tell me fine folks, what can I do for you?"
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Ezmerlily looks startled at your blatant talk but also reassured by Aleric's Varisian charm offensive. Looking over your wares you can tell she is an expert in such matters as she looks to see how much of the adhesive is salvageable. After a moment she hands you back the goods and rummages through her desk, bringing out payment for the item.
"This is my best price, it can't all be in gold you understand as alot of the cities wealth are in poisons and the like. You don't seem the type for that, but what I have should serve well for adventuring types."
On the table she places a bag of gold, two vials of reddish liquid and three potions.
She also looks around somewhat conspiratorially before continuing.
"I have also come across some rather interesting information about an ancient weapon of a sort. As part of our deal I shall give you the information, as this adhesive will go a long way to settling my debts."
She sits back before continuing, the spider silk going into a drawer in the desk.
" “A fair trade’s a fair trade. There was a half-orc blathering about some important blade or sword or something she found. Moonsilver, Sliverhex, or somesuch. Kept going on about its history to any who would listen.”
The merchant leans in conspiratorially again, clarly enjoying a good tale . “Well I have it from the horse’s mouth, so to speak, that she won’t be needin’ that sword where she’s headed.” The merchant draws a hand across the neck, making an unpleasant sound.
“The Vessels Between will have that one soon enough. You just need to go out there and grab that sword once they’re through, and I happen to know where they found her little camp.”
She gives you directions towards a cave not too far to the north-east, merely a few hours walk. Lily draws you up a map to the location so you won't get lost.
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As you may have gathered from my absence, I’ve made a few enemies who would be all too pleased to see me leave the region—or worse. Like so many matters in the River Kingdoms, the range of thugs that might want an honest explorer dead are as diverse and numerous as the kingdoms themselves.
The last several months of my time here have been exciting and perilous enough that exactly who my real enemies are is unclear. Until I can sort out the sides, I’m lying low in a nearby hideout. I should be safe there and can meet with you soon to complete our transaction.
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Ezmerlily frowns at Sven's question as if he were lacking something but she looks him up and down quickly and reminds herself that the Ulfen is a foreigner here.
"The Vessels Between are a well known Assassin's Guild here in Daggermark. I don't know much of their inner workings or practics however, fortunately."
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Ezmerlily shrugs at Khismia's question. "Well I wasn't really listening, just that it was a powerful blade and that it has existed since before Taldan's something or other, not sure really."
With all the information out of the Shopkeeper , you press on to Ulisha's Hideout, not before the Alchemist looks at Aleric's wounds with a sigh and brews up a foul smelling concoction. Whatever it is it does the trick and much of his weakness fades as the affects of the SPider's poison are flushed from his system.
The hill ahead is not much to look at. It gently slopes away from the river. A shallow cave is near its top, smoke from a campfire curling upward in the gentle breeze. The grass wafts slowly along a gently curving path up the southern face of the hill, ending in a few switchbacks as the hill grows steep near the top.
Out of the cave a wary voice sounds, it is feminine and holds a Taldan inflection.
"Wh-Who's there? Name yourselves!"
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"We have your journal and have completed several of your tasks for funding. We want to trade for the silverhex." "I am Haska and these others are Marius, Krismia, Aleric, Sven and Patros who has already introduced himself and we are indeed pathfinders. We also have heard news that you might be in danger." "Can we approach?"
Haska steps slightly forward as he speaks.
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Stepping out from the cave at the top of the hill, a half orc woman looks at you with suspicion but Sven's words calm her down considerably and she lets out a deep breath.
"Well then, I am Ulisha. I see you have been following my leads so you may have heard of my troubles? Coming to find me proves it. I can't sell you the Silverhex right now with the threats coming. We need to ambush the Assassins and then I am free to trade. You are here now so they will target you anyway, they never leave witnesses."
Aleric can't see anything to the forest to the south, but you get the feeling that you don't have much time in which to act. You could prepare an ambush or flee the way you came.
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"not like that you're not. Theyre going to see you from a mile away hiding like that." Aleric complains. "Too much weight on you. Armor, all that stuff"
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Peering from around boulders, you spy two figures darting up the path, hugging the rocks and walls expertly until they have to dash up the path, obviously heading towards the smoke.
They stop startled as they spy several of you trying to hide behind the rocks. One carries a shortbow, arrow notched to the string whilst the other carries a pair of solid looking Nunchaku yet wears no armour you can see.
The unarmoured Vessel darts to the rock features failing to hide Sven and Khismia and you can see him discard an empty potion vial as he darts across. His muscles bulge slightly as the magic courses through him.
B
Patros
Sven
Haska
S
Aleric
Marius
Khismia
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Patros takes aim and fires a telling shot, striking the approaching assassin a grazing blow, catching his attention. Haska prepares an explosive for when comes closer whilst Sven begins to sing to draw more attention towards them.
The Second assassin darts forwards, though their shorter stature denies them closing too far. Spying Haska in the open, the Sniper fires with their shortbow, cursing Haska's pointy ears.
for
B -3
Patros
Sven
Haska -3
S
Aleric
Marius
Khismia
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Haska looks around and notices that no one else has broken cover. Realization dawning (and the arrow to prove it) that now he is the prime target for all hostile actions.
"I guess I really did not understand our group plan. I must have missed the 'let them get close' part." Haska ponders.
"Madame, get in the cave before they see you."
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With Marius and Khismia unwilling to break from cover, Ulisha begins a haunting dirge from the cave mouth, the tune washing over you all and filling you with inspiration and bolstering your courage.
The unarmoured Assassin then breaks out into a swift dash, heading straight for Haska as he spies their intended target hiding behidn the elf. As he closes, Haska hurls their bomb, catching them and burning the assassin. Unperturbed by fire or arrow the creature strikes out at Haska, just striking the alchemist causing him to stagger!
for
B -9
Patros
Sven
Haska -10 (Staggered)
S
Aleric
Marius
Khismia
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Haska realizes he is in trouble an withdrawls into the cave as far as he can.