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Beneath Brokenhelm Hill and the weathered walls of Thornkeep lies an ancient maze of magic and madness. Once the workrooms and summoning chamber of a rebel Azlanti lord, these subterranean chambers were forgotten thousands of years ago after the eradication of the evil lord and his followers. Over the centuries, adventurers have found their way into these twisting passages and magnificent chambers, only to discover that the fading magic of the ancient Azlanti still lingers here. The people of Thornkeep call this dungeon the Halls Under the Hill, but those heroes who have dared its depths know this place by a different name: the Accursed Halls.
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Marching order:
- Sven, Poochie
- Roudi, Arturo
- Vox, Jaender
- Einhardt
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Arturo creeps around to the general store in Thornkeep town, casting furtive glances this way and that before finally bolting for the door and sliding to the ground once inside. He quickly takes a peek through the front window, ignoring the quizzical glance from the store owner. Outside, a half-orc woman with a deep scowl on her face stalks past, clearly searching for something (or someone).
"Well, now that she's gone," says Arturo cheerily, dusting himself off, "Let's do some shopping, shall we?"
As Arturo turns around, speaking warmly to the shopkeeper, Einhardt becomes visible sitting patiently beside the counter on the wooden floors of the shop. The wolf's head is titled in confused bewilderment, looking at the mustachioed gentleman.
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You are called to the Dryblade House in Daggermark, the local Pathfinder Society lodge. Venture-Captain Istivil Bosk, an elderly man with graying hair and a pinched, weathered face is waiting in the library, with a tall, gangly red-headed man.
“Ah, there you are, Pathfinders,” says Bosk. “I hope this day sees you well. I must commend you all on an excellent report on The Accursed Halls.”
He turns to Ophiuchus, and says, “I am glad to see that you are well, once more. I was most distraught when I heard that the shadow you encountered had drained your strength nigh unto death, that you were about to return to your fair Merian at long last. Over and over you were wounded almost to death! I am surprised to see you have such as cheery disposition to this day.”
“And Arturo, your prowess is quite remarkable. Felling enemies with a single blow, acts of derring-do beyond compare! The acrobatics that you performed to recover the chain mail sounds quite extraordinary! Perhaps you’ll honor me with a demonstration some time.”
He looks to the Strong Guy, shaking his head. “I am still waiting for your report, young man. You know the motto, right? Explore, cooperate, and report? All three are essential!”
“Vox and Jaender, I found your reports to be quite interesting, and far more… sedate… than those of others. What I didn’t know was what you all have decided to do with the Sword of Zod? Should we give it to these goblins? I know that Ophiuchus says that was the plan, but you haven’t followed through with it. I leave the decision to you.”
”So, to the business at hand. I have called you here to discuss another venture into the dungeons under Thornkeep. My friend here, Cyrul, sometimes known as ‘the Wanderer’ has run in to some interesting information.
“Cyrul, would you mind?”
“Oh, you are ready for me? It is about time that I brief these... agents... as to what I have learned.” Cyrul says, rolling his eyes in a very obvious manner. Venture-Captain Bosk gives Cyrul an impatient look, which is promptly ignored. “A few weeks back, I was investigating the rumor of a secret path through the Echo Woods… one that would lead to by the fabled Emerald Spire.
“What? You haven’t heard of the Alzanti ruin called the Emerald Spire? No matter, this is not important to the story. However, I have read that the Emerald Spire was a repository of great Alzanti power, that a war wizard of some repute built it as a stronghold several thousand years ago…”
“Cyrul, could we please limit this to the situation at hand?”
“Whatever. I was just going to say that I learned of this when I was in Thornkeep, speaking with the quite lovely Iliara Starcloak, she of the Goldenfire Tower and the Goldenfire Order. She was hoping that I might learn something of where her two associates had gone.” Bosk clears his throat, and Cyrul looks a little nervous.
“As I was saying, I started asking around about wizards going lost in the Echo Woods, discretely, of course, because one never wants to raise the wrath of a wizard that doesn’t want to be found. While I never found the trail I was looking for, I did run in to Chieftain Darioth of the Wolfmane tribe. I told her about the trail, which she claimed didn’t exist.
“However, she did have one piece of interesting information. Evidently she had been tracking an arcanist in the area who was wanted by Oreena Hollysong for some atrocities against nature.
“I then went to this druid friend of the barbarians to ask her about this madman. She spoke of vile mutated wildlife, formerly peaceful animals turned into vicious killers. She was following up on clues about a series of attacks that seemed to happen right around the new moon, or something. Maybe it was the full moon. I don’t know… never really paid much attention to the stars or the religions. My work is grounded more firmly on Golarion’s soil. You’ve heard of my book, haven’t you? Golarian Abridged? I believe it to be the ultimate work… anyways, Venture-Captain Bosk is old, and won’t be around forever, so I should get on with the briefing.” Bost sputters a bit at that, but doesn’t say anything.
“As I was saying, Lady Hollysong said that the animals told her of a man with half of a face, who fed the animals from a clear bottle of some sort, and they changed. I’ve spent the last week or so here, searching through the Venture-Captain’s library, hoping to find any clues as to what this was."
Cyrul straightens up, with a look of smugness about himself. “I believe that bottle to be nine other than the Arcanolembic. This magical flask is rumored to have been found in The Forgotten Laboratory underneath Thornkeep itself. Its powers are unknown, but thought to be vast.”
Venture-Captain Bosk stands up, and motions Cyrul to sit down. “Pathfinders, your mission is to descend down into this Forgotten Laboratory, which I understand to be past the Door of Seven Stars, the very one some of you opened some weeks ago. You are to investigate the area, and report back to me what you have found. If you find this Arcanolembic that Cyrul spoke of, you are to bring it to me, so that we can learn its powers.
“That is all. If you have any questions, I am sure Cyrul here can answer any of them. Good day.”
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"I'm not sure what we'll do with the Sword of Zog" says Arturo, stealing a date from the guest tray and munching loudly and comfortably on it, "It's not much use to us, so I guess we'll probably return it to curry favor with the goblins and see where that leads us. If nothing else, that should prove fun. I've even picked up some books on how to speak goblin. It's coming along quite well!"
Arturo clears his throat and does his best goblin squeal, "Toto jedlo nie je človek, ktorý by zabil svoju matku!"
Arturo smiles proudly, "Not bad, eh? Anyway, we'd be happy to retrieve this Arcanolembic, I'm sure. It sounds like just the thing we questing types go in for. We'll be careful not to sample some before we bring it back.
"Before you go, Venture Captain, you asked for a demonstration..."
Arturo throws a date high into the air towards the room's exit. He does a forwards flip over a chair, rolls onto the ground and flips onto his back, mouth open wide.
The shot is so clean that Arturo almost chokes on the date as it rockets to the back of his throat. He covers it up by bowing deeply as he works his tongue to dislodge the dried, fruity menace.
"It's all about keeping your eye on the prize!" declares Arturo with a smile, stepping aside with a flourish to allow the Venture Captain to leave.
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"I suppose if we feel compelled to give the sword back to the goblins, that is fine. But only if they can purchase it. We don't adventure for free, am I right Arturo? At least... we don't freelance for free. For the Society, we do what is necessary. And they pay us well for our efforts!"
"I personally am not to excited about a bunch of goblins running around with a sword that... nice. Just my thoughts." Jaender says, noncommittally.
Turning to Cyrul, "Suppose we encounter this madman who has the flask, is there anything the society wants with him? Or should we turn him in to the druid who is seeking him? That would probably look good for us at a minimum, and might earn us a little bounty in the process. And, uh... You said the man had half a face? Was the other half... gone? Just hoping to get an idea of what we are going up against here..." Jaender fidgets a bit nervously, suddenly worried he is asking silly questions.
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Cyrul looks closely at Jaender, causing the young wayang sorcerer to fidget even more. "To be specific, Agent, I said that the animals said he had half of a face. I have not seen him, nor have I seen any images of him. However, I would assume, based on his alleged profession, that some experiment went awry, damaging him severely. Mixing caustic reagents in semi-controlled environments has never seemed like a good idea to me."
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The strong brute appears to zone out multiple times during Cyrul's exposition, the man's inability to stay on task clearly at odds with the former slave's straightforward line of thinking. When the man finally gets to the point, the large man nods at the given task.
"You did not answer Jaender's question, sir. I believe he was trying to determine whether you want the half-faced man returned alive or not..."
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"So if animals are made into nasty animals in the laboratory that is forgotten no more (since you remembered it!), I suppose we will be running up against them. Can you give us any tactical information on them? Can say we come in peace and be good buddies? Or if we must fight, how we best fight against them?"
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"My apologies. I have been working closely with Osprey... I assume you've heard of him? Well, he is a bit gruff, and it wears off on a person. As to whether or not you should bring this 'Half-Face' back alive? Well, I leave it to you. However, I would think that no one would shed a tear should his research die with him, if you know what I mean?" He looks at the blank look from the strong brute, and then continues., "You know... destroy the research when you... um... eradicate... the researcher? You know, what you Pathfinder agents are good at. Please don't make me come out and say it... it seems so... crude."
To Roudantaimi he replies, "Please, treat the poor creatures with kindness, if you can. They did not ask for their fate. If need be, perhaps bring them to Oreena Hollysong, if you can capture them alive. She may be able to help them. I don't know about tactics... I am not much in to getting into altercations... I am honestly more of an explorer and chronicler, I hleave the skirmishes to you lot!"
"Oh, I have sent ahead, and secured rooms at the Greenforest Inn. I hope that will be to your liking."
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"Rooms at the Greenforest Inn will be most agreeable my friend!" says Arturo, clapping the druid on the shoulder, "Sounds like we're all in for a bit of good old fashioned fun. We'll try to save your animals, but I should warn you: I've just dubbed my new scimitar "centipede-bane". I can perhaps try to find a better name for it, but it is the experience that names the scimitar and not the scimitar that informs the experience. We shall see."
With that, Arturo will happily make preparations for returning to Thornkeep to gather any further relevant information and then delve into the dungeon depths once more!
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Venture-Captain Istivil Bosk turns to Ophiuchus, and says, [“I am glad to see that you are well, once more. I was most distraught when I heard that the shadow you encountered had drained your strength nigh unto death, that you were about to return to your fair Merian at long last. Over and over you were wounded almost to death! I am surprised to see you have such as cheery disposition to this day.”
"Venture Captain Bosk, it is wonderful to see you. Yes there were many times that I was close to death. One day I will see my Merian again. Until then, as Mr. Trask says, "Suck it up Poochie and kill those things dead." I am in a much better mood. Whenever I spend too long in the dark place with lots of water, and things that want to kill you, and there is no sister to rescue, it really takes the feathers out of a duck."
"So someone is hurting animals?" Drawing his flail, brandishing it expertly to the groups amazement, the nagaji continues, "I will have no problem killing those who hurt pretty animals." Glaring at Vox, "Your pretty wolf needs a bath, and a ribbon for her hair." The nagaji strides boldly out the office, walking quickly to a man walking his dog.
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Not one for idle conversation, the brute lets his more personable companions ask around town, if they like. The man is eager to descend past the door they opened and test himself against these new foes. After so many years of wasting away in the fields, having no aim in life, no purpose, the equivalent of a draft mule with reasoning capacity, the young man eagerly grasps at goals the way others grasp at power.
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Returning to Thornkeep, Ophiuchus is greeted by familiar surroundings. Though he spent much of his time below ground, few towns or villages give him the feeling of a home more than this one does. His feet leading him more so then any thought out plan, Ophiuchus finds himself at the Blue Basilisk's Hall. Entering he finds Ariane.
Slightly bowing his head, "Good day and well met again Ariane. I am Ophiuchus the Battle Nagaji, returned to right a wrong. This time I do not venture out to rescue a missing brother, but rather to stop a heinous monstrosity. What can you tell me about the Forgotten Laboratory that I might restore order to the natural world?"
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Vox walks to the edge of town, passing through the streets along a meandering course and keeping mostly to himself. The dull, ashen grey of the wolf's fur occasionally shows in his periphery as he stroles, as the Einhardt oscillates between flanking his right and left. The wolf trots from one side of the street to the other, collecting scents and checking the messages left by the canines of Daggermark since last she was here, randomly pausing to squat and send her own messages in reply.
At the edge of town, the youth kneels and pets the animals, gently sliding both hands along Einhardt's jowls. After another moment of petting the wolf, the boy speaks, already knowing nothing verbal needs to be said, "Run and hunt in the wilds while you can, there is no telling how long we'll be stuck down in those stone walls."
"Just be back before I leave town," he says, standing up and flinging a hand casually in the direction of a small outcropping of nearby trees.
The wolf pauses for a moment, looking up to the youth, then turns and trots away from the town. Within a few paces her stride has lengthened into a sprinting gallop, her grey fur becoming a blurred streak skipping across the landscape which quickly disappears, blending into the sprawling vista of wilderness.
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Jaender meanders around, not entirely sure where he wants to go, or what he wants to do. He knows the task in front of them, and feels prepared to delve further into the halls.
Suddenly feeling a moment of inspiration, he heads over to the shrine of battle, to speak with the young acolyte.
After exchanging pleasantries, "are you still having trouble with the racket that has kept you awake at night? I would like to look into that, as a favor." he says with a genuine smile.
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Arturo stretches his arms out and enjoys the sunshine as it briefly filters through the clouds. Such a fine day for a stroll and some more adventure. Looks to be even more frightening than the last time! Ah well, Arturo - you wanted to be a brave adventurer, and last time you played the part. A little less stupidity from you this time, Arturo, they already believe you're fearless. No need to prove it again.
The troubled Varisian furrows his brow, as though it might squash his inner doubts, before affecting his usual smile and strolling into town. He sees the Thirsty Ogre and wonders if the half-orc woman, Toomdar is inside. Just in case, he skirts wide around that particular establishment and makes straight for the Greenforest Inn.
"Greetings, Vess!" Arturo calls out, "Let me know when my friends get here if you don't mind. I'll just be up in my room sorting out my things. Planning another trip to the ruins below Thornkeep, y'know."
Halfway up the stairs, Arturo pauses and turns back down, "I don't suppose you know anything about the Forgotten Laboratory do you? Or know who would know? Seems there are some mutated animals who have gone down there. Something about an odd device called the Arcanolembic. Oh, and I guess we'd better go see those goblins and give them that sword they were looking for. Y'know, help them to establish the Kingdom of Zog and all that."
Should I have just told her all that? Arturo wonders, She seems trustworthy enough. Then again, Arturo, you didn't exactly whisper it in her ear. You have no idea who else was listening. Fool.
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Roudantaimi stands nearby the inn, waiting for his companions. Somehow he seems very excited, and can barely keep still. Reason for this might the large reptile standing behind the gnome. As soon as he spots one his teammates, the gnome sprints forwards, words just exploding from his mouth like no power could keep them shackled any longer. "Look,looklook, what I got! I bought from the goblins! Real, live, giant gecko! Trained to be ridden! The gobbos said she's combat-trained, too, but I'm not that sure of their training methods. But she looks promising anyway. The goblins had a name for it too, but I have no idea how to pronounce it... It all sounds like käkäti-käkäti to me. So I asked the gecko herself, but she doesn't quite grasp the context of "name" or, well she has problems with contexts in general. Besides, "food" and "sleep" and "fight". So I decided to give her a name myself, so I call her Tahmatassu, a good solid Gnomish name," Roudantaimi speaks excitedly, jumping around as he talks.
While waiting for his friends to appear, the gnome uses the best of his time to not stay silent and asks any passers-by for any rumours about the Forgotten Laboratory.
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"Ophiuchus!" says Ariane. "You've made it back, and alive. Hadn't heard if your second foray into the Accursed Halls was a success. By your good health, I assume it was? You are looking far healthier than the last time I saw you.
"I have to apologize, I have not heard anything about the Forgotten Laboratory. Where is it?
"However, I have heard something else.
“Harley’s Mill used to be a nice, honest establishment—one of the few in Thornkeep, for that matter. Lately, though, the new owners have run it into the ground. When they’re not shooing away their own customers, they’re sneaking out at night and breaking into other peoples’ houses!”
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Taronnel, the Acolyte of Gorum, says to Jaender, "Unfortunately, the racket still continues. If anything, it is getting worse! They are claiming now that their birthright has been stolen, and that the adventurers have betrayed them! I have heard that several of the clan have gone missing as well. A couple in the last week, even."
"On the other hand, Idara, so-called keeper of the House of the River Lord, may have the rest of Thornkeep fooled, but not me! She says the temple’s run out of money, but I know she’s just hoarding it all so that she might inflict the wrath of Hanspur on us all!"
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Arturo is interrupted by a gnome who is apparently quite excited! Roudantaimi makes sure he knows about his new pet!
Once he has the time to get a word in again, Arturo learns from Vess that “That Brodwyr Stonesplitter’s got a keen business going on. He’s offering top price for any ore you dig up, and he’ll even supply you with gear to go mining! Best deal in Thornkeep if you ask me.”
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"Ophiuchus!" says Ariane. "You've made it back, and alive. Hadn't heard if your second foray into the Accursed Halls was a success. By your good health, I assume it was? You are looking far healthier than the last time I saw you."I have to apologize, I have not heard anything about the Forgotten Laboratory. Where is it?
"However, I have heard something else.
“Harley’s Mill used to be a nice, honest establishment—one of the few in Thornkeep, for that matter. Lately, though, the new owners have run it into the ground. When they’re not shooing away their own customers, they’re sneaking out at night and breaking into other peoples’ houses!”
"Many thanks for the information, I am feeling better. I always do when I am close to death and come back to life. Are you still looking for people to protect caravans. I so wish that I was able to protect honest merchants carry needed supplies to refugees from the crusades. I fear that I must return to Thornkeep."
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The brute wanders around aimlessly, his mind drifting as his feet take him in random directions. A couple of times he tries to approach one of the locals, but his large size and wild look give them such looks upon their faces that he soon realizes the futility of such an action. Frowning, he goes to find Mr. and Mrs. Hairylip, sure that they will provide him with some direction.
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"Ah, big man that sings. It is so good to see you again. I went to see Ariane of the Blue Basilisk. She said that I look better? Do I look better? I feel better, but I also wish to look better. Should I grow a full beard like you? Do the ladies like your beard? Maybe when the young man with the pretty wolf washes the pretty wolf, and puts ribbons in her hair, he could wash your beard too, and put ribbons in your beard. I know that Merian used to like ribbons, and colorful threads. I am thinking about getting a tabard with pretty colors on it. Would you like to accompany me? I am not sure, should we start at Tardin's trading post, or should we go to Thornkeep Mercantile? Yes, you are right. The mercantile sounds better. Should I get a fierce animal on the front like a duck about to take flight? Not fierce enough? Have you ever been bitten by a duck, I think not my large friend. How about a walking song, one to pass the time away as we stroll the Green? One about heroes rescuing lost brothers and sisters. A grim tale at that. What about that wooden statue that you and Mr. Task hugged, or that woman that chased Mr. Hairylip? She was fierce. I have not seen a woman look like that in quite some time. No matter, we will make good time." Not pausing in his speech at all, Ophiuchus arrives promptly at Tardin's Trading Post, nowhere near mercantile.
Ophiuchus strides boldly in, "Good day to you all. I am Ophiuchus the Battle nagaji. I requite a tabard of a fierce creature, and colorful, to proclaim to all that I am a fierce warrior, and that I rescue brothers and sisters, and hug wooden statues, and almost die from those that live and are dead, and live again until I kill them. I am also afraid of the dark, but I do not wish to display that. This is my friend, the man who sings. He has a voice like a bullfrog getting swallowed by a snake."
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"Ummmm..." The man wasn't even sure the nagaji could grow facial hair, much less a beard. Not wanting to hurt the eager oracle's feelings, however, the man merely nods, hoping Ophiuchus' attention span will shift to something else as they walk. When Mrs. Hairylip makes his request for a song, the brute sighs, but starts to sing a short verse he heard working in the fields. The song is of toil and hardship and never giving up hope, a curious song considering that many who sung and chanted it were broken men. The man's deep voice carries farther than he would wish as they walk, the verse ending after a blissfully short amount of time.
After Ophiuchus makes his request, the young man looks at the proprietor with a flat stare. "Give him a cobra poised to strike."
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The owner of the establishment, Tardin, is a male half-orc. He is tall, brash looking, with a shaved head. An Orc double-axe is mounted on the wall of this trade shop. As soon as the Strong Brute opens his mouth, he realizes it was a bad idea.
"Norgorber's balls, what the hells are you talking about? Do you have furs to trade, or are you two... adventurers by the looks of things... just here to waste my time?" He gets up right in Sven's face, seething with anger.
Ophiuchus notices a trio of half-orcs moving from the back, to get into threatening position. Each has a greataxe in hand, and look competent to use them.
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The barbarian's face turns a splotchy red. He is just as confused as Tardin, but does not take kindly to the half-orc's demeanor and attitude. "You rude man! My friend made a polite request of you, and you choose to act like this!? Step outside with me, and I will teach you some respect!"
Assuming Tardin doesn't just start the fight right there, 'Sven' walks out the door, pausing a moment to clap Ophiuchus on the shoulder in a friendly gesture. After this, he balls his fists up at his side, turning about after he exits, waiting for the proprietor.
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"All well met Tardin. What a beautiful shop you have. I am looking for a talbard. You know, a garment that goes over your head. I would like one in pretty colors. I would like it to proclaim me as a fierce warrior. Why do you have friends here? Do you play games of chance or talk about great heroic deeds like rescuing brothers and sisters? Please talk nicely to the big man that sings. I do not think that he is right in the head sometimes. If you cannot help me, or choose not to, where may I find such a garment as this?"
Ophiuchus puts a restraining hand on Strong Brute's shoulder. "My friends, no need to fight. Let us only hurt only those who choose to do evil in the world, steal sisters, hurt animals, and lead women on in superficial romantic relationships for their own selfish purposes."
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"Roudantaimi!" calls Arturo, coming down the stairs to the taproom, "Great to see you. I trust your endeavors in town have proved fruitful. Have you seen the others? Should we go look for them, or just wait here and enjoy the beer?"
Arturo clearly expresses a preference for the latter as he takes a seat and waves Vess over to make an order.
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Jaender nods in thanks to the the acolyte's sharing of new information.
"I think my friends and I might just be able to do something about that. Maybe then if we are in desperate need of healing or restoration, your faith might be able to return the favor in kind." He says with a wink and a smile.
Edit: Once he is done, he heads back to the inn to see if anyone else is there yet. There is planning to be done! And perhaps a few loose ends around town to tie up before the group heads down to the laboratory.
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"Oh, so you buy furs. I understand now. What furs do you buy? Do you have any for sale? I would like to buy one. I would really love a blondish-redish colored fur. One that resembles the majesty of a duck taking flight off a pond on a sunlit morning. You said that you are traders - what do you trade furs for. I might have something of value for you."
"If you are not interested in trading, then my friend and I will seek elsewhere for the goods I require. And a good day to you all."
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"Thank you. I will speak with this seamstress Hap to have him make my talbard. Come big man that sings. We shall leave this place." Striding boldly out the door, Ophiuchus makes his way to Hap Thistledown's place.
"Well met Hap Thistledown. I am Ophiuchus the battle nagaji, and this is my friend, the large man that sings. We kill dead things that live and live things that kill. We rescue sisters and brothers, and swim in dark waters. I wish to purchase a talbard that depicts a mighty warrior symbol, like a biting duck, or a what was it you said Strong man that sings? As yes, a snake. Are you are person that can do this or do I need to seek elsewhere? We have recently met Tardin at the fur trading post has told us that you are a seamstress." Staring intently, Ophiuchus waits for an answer.