GM Tarondor's Dragon's Demand (Inactive)

Game Master Tarondor

Thanks! I think Brandor will be considering the book of extended summoning, and probably some potions. So for now, he will hold on to his money.

The scrolls and potions lots are the only thing of possible use for Liam off that list. I mean, yea, all the high-powered books and manuals beyond his capacity is cool, but overly expensive and not usable for QUITE some time even in campaign mode - definitely not in module-mode.

Thanks for the hero points, GM!

"If you desire the coins at any time, you need only present the letter of credit to my chamberlain or to Mr. Grellen in town and it will be given to you. Is this satisfactory?"

"So much for payment. Now it is my pleasure to offer you gift of sorts. If you wish to attend the auction and bid on some of Hunclay's goods, I will cover half of the price of anything you bid on, up to a value of 7,500 gp. I hope to hold the auction in a month's time, and I hope to see you there."

"It is most satisfactory, Your Grace. A thoughtful solution, indeed. We thank you, also, for the notice of auction. I believe we would like to be there. We shall take our leave. Have a good day," bowing gracefully before the Lady and her noble heir/son.

Uhe nods his gratitude to the Baroness. The eccentric dwarf then goes shopping for sprucing up the Cave a bit. "Seems like we may have a bit of time. Anyone care to go shopping?"

"I will join you, Uhe. We promised Maffei we would make the caves more comfortable. Also, we may find some things which could be useful to us and our new group of friends, yes?"

As they moved about town, searching for and purchasing some things of interest, Reveka turned to her dwarf companion and added, "Before we take on any new jobs, perhaps I can call into the church to see if they may require my healing services in the community? I wouldn't mind talking to the local historian, for the past could help us better understand the present, and, if time permits, practicing with my weapons. I wouldn't want to let down our new companions. It appears they do attract exceeding danger and magic alone may not be enough. You saw how terribly wounded most were down in the flooded caves. Poor Brandor had such pressure on him as their healer."

At the upcoming auction: Reveka would certainly be interested in Lot 10 (assorted potions), Lot 18 (rare books) and Lot 19 (dust of darkness).

Uhe absolutely enjoys going shopping with Reveka for sprucing up the Cave for Maffei.
Do you think she would like these Delightful Dieffenbachia plants? Or how about these Komodo Anthurium Bush Terrarium Plant?

The Bard does indeed agree with his friend about their new companions not wanting for trouble.
I believe that our lives have become much more interesting, my dear.

The dwarf smiles.

Last chance for anyone who wants to shop for something specific. Otherwise, I'm moving the clock forward one month to the auction.

Jayla is good for purchases. She doesn't quite have enough for magic items yet.

Ready to move on.

A month later, the auction commences on a dreary, rainy afternoon in Belhaim. It is held at the open-air amphitheater known as the Belhaim Commons. Despite the large number of invitations sent out by the baroness, only a handful of prospective buyers arrive in town the day of the auction—the remoteness of Belhaim and Hunclay’s limited fame in arcanist circles makes the auction less of a draw than hoped.

Those who do come include a trio of white-clad Kalistocrats from Kerse; two black-robed individuals of indeterminate gender representing the Mercantile Consortium of Maheto; a snarling half-orc named Mr. Pickets representing Duchess Selphine Telegonus of Cassomir; and a brown-haired man in a red felt hat with a large blue feather stuck in its side named Clausyre, who represents unknown parties in the north.

The auction is open to the public, and many of Belhaim’s citizens attend out of curiosity, even though few have the means to compete for the big-ticket items. The PCs are given a place of honor with front-row seats, whether or not they’re interested in bidding on items. Serious bidders, including locals such as the Adras family, Sir Pelle Benhovy, Arnholde Devy, the Belhaim historian Bassy, and Swerlo Grayhands, are seated within the first two tiers closest to the stage. Spectators fill whatever other seats are available. The baroness is present and seated next to her son Arnholde, but doesn’t bid.

The bidding opens with Lot #1, the exotic birds. The opening bid is 50 gold pieces and is shortly won by Sir Pelle, who outbids the Mercantile Consortium and pays 200 gp. Next is Lot #2, the kitchen lot. Mister Pickets outbids Melanctha Adras to the tune of 800 gp. Lot #3, the parlor lot, goes to Sir Arnholde Devy who outbids Clausyre. Lady Origena's son finally wins the lot for 1500 gp. Lot #5, the library lot, starts a bidding war between the strange representatives from the Maheto Mercantile Consortium, Clausyre and a fiery red-haired gnome woman called Bassy.

And so it goes as the afternoon wears on.

Will any of you bid on the following? The initial bid for each is listed. It would take rather a long time to go through the whole auction, as I surely would if this were played face-to-face. We’ll roleplay any of the auctions you bid on. Remember you can bid as a team if you like.

Lot 7: The Book of Extended Summoning - 550 gp
Lot 8: The Flesh Golem Manual - 2,000 gp
Lot 9: The Manual of War - 1500 gp
Lot 10: Assorted Potions - 660 gp
Lot 11: Assorted Scrolls - 255 gp
Lot 12: Hunclay's Spellbooks - 4,000 gp
Lot 17: Summoning journal - 1,000 gp
Lot 18: Rare books - 1,100 gp
Lot 19: Dust of Darkness - 600 gp
Lot 20: Mithril Scroll tube - 300 gp.

Liam is wanting to bid on the scroll lot, but is perfectly willing to step aside if there is a concerted interest in any other lot that we need to pool gp to be able to afford. As a player I'll give it a couple days irl, if no one brings up anything that warrants pooling funds, Liam will bid on Lot 11.

Uhe would be salivating at the Rare Books (lot 18); although, his personal funds will not cover it.

Uhe's player thinks that they may hold the key for what may come next; but, that just may be me having played too many games...lol.

Brandor will bid on lot #7 and lot #10, and if he has any funds left, he will donate them to Uhe for bidding on the rare books.

Uhe sits nervously in the front row at the auction. The fancy dressed dwarf fidgets, holding onto Reveka's hand with an iron grip.
I am so nervous, my dear. Can you imagine; those rare books to study and pour over for all eternity! Or whenever I am deceased; whichever comes first, I suppose. This is very exciting!

Uhe will be bidding for Lot 18, please! He has about the exact amount, if we are splitting 6 ways?

Clean and neatly dressed, Reveka sat beside Uhe, holding the dwarf's hand which was tense with nervousness; occasionally looking up at the dreary sky in the open amphitheatre. "If you wish, I can give you half of the coin to ensure you can get the rare books, my friend. I only ask that I may have opportunity to read them, too, as I am curious at what lies within their pages." Uhe, Reveka will pitch in 550 gp for the rare books, if you're happy to share them?

====

Since the baroness only gave us 500 gp and a credit note for the remaining 4500 gp, are we presuming that we've gone to the baroness' chamberlain or Mr. Grellen in town and exchanged the credit note into coin before the auction? So the split is 833 gp each (with the remaining 2 gp going to whomever wishes to claim it)?

The auction (organized by Lady Origena) will definitely accept Lady Origena's letter of credit!

Chosk Grellen, the auctioneer, calls Lot 7, the manual of extended summoning. "Initial Bid, 550 gold. Who'll bid 550?" The servant of one of the Kalistocrats raises his hand. "I have 550. Who'll go to 600?" asks Chosk.

The mechanism here is a Bluff or Intimidate check to convince the other bidder you're more serious than they. Brandor (or anyone he choooses to bid for him) can make the roll. If you double the opening bid, you'll get a +2 to the roll.

"600." Brandor casually waves in his bid. "Not sure it's worth that, but it has much sentimental value."

Bluff: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

Uhe actually blushes at Reveka's generosity. The dandy dwarf gets out a clean handkerchief to dab his eyes a bit.
My dear, you have been a boon from the heavens. Of course, you may enjoy them any time!

The dwarf then leans into her ear a bit to whisper
I am a bit embarrassed, but, my being a Bard does not actually allow for my mouth to be the Bidder. I was wondering if you can be?

This is not the Bard you are looking for...lol.

"Seven hundred!" cries the servent at a slight nod from the Kalistocrat.

"I've got seven hundred, who'll give me eight? Looking for eight hundred!" says Chosk in a sing-song voice.

Jayla fidgets through the afternoon. She's terribly bored until the things of interest to her companions come up in the auction. "If anyone wants anything in particular, I'm happy to chip in for it. If not I think I'll try my luck with the potions."

Pleased that Uhe would be happy to share the collection of rare books with her if they succeeded at the bidding, Reveka smiled; excited at the prospect.

The dwarf then leans into her ear a bit to whisper

I am a bit embarrassed, but, my being a Bard does not actually allow for my mouth to be the Bidder. I was wondering if you can be?

Employing the same level of discretion and lowering her voice to match, the young oracle answered her friend, "Rest assured, I will do what I can as the bidder. I would not like to see those books slip away to another." Reveka gave Uhe's hand a reassuring squeeze and then grew silent as she watched Brandor bid on the Book of Extended Summoning. She was keenly watching his tactic and noted the bluff; yet kept it to herself.

Sense Motive vs Brandor's Bluff: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

"Pass." Too rich for me.

Is this a lesser or standard? If less, we can buy one for 750, so no need to bid higher, and if standard... well, that wouldn't do me any more good than lesser anyway!

The standard.

That lot is finally sold for 2750 gp to the Kalistocrats. Lot 8 (the manual of golems) sparks a fierce bidding war that is won for 8,000 gp by the Mercantile Consortium of Maheto. The Manual of War goes to the Kalistocrats for 6,500 gp.

"The next lot is Lot #10," says Chosk. "The opening bid is 660 gp. Who'll give me 660?"

The gnome Bassy pipes up. "Right here! Come to momma!"

"Can you describe the lot please?"

I just can't recall what's there.

Bluff: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

Looking fairly disinterested as any description is made, the dwarf nods. "750."

"The lot consists of two vials of oil of keen edge, a potion of undetectable alignment, a potion of protection from acid, and a potion of
protection from fire."

Give me your Bluff or Intimidate check, Brandor. No bonus.

Bluff is +1. Or did you need an additional roll?

As the Manual of War is claimed by others, Edo mutters "Bah. Ain't nothin' in there can't be lernt by doin'."

As the potion lot comes up, Edo leans over to Brandor. "This'uns a group effort. I reckon yeh can use the party funds, wif ​reason, to outbid that wee gnome."

Inferences for Uhe and Reveka regarding Edo:

Impressions are basically that he's spent a substantial amount of time in and around the criminal element, but that his moral compass is generally good. He appears ill-educated, but a moment's interaction proves he isn't stupid. His attention to detail (or prioritization of what he deems important) is lacking in all regards apart from combat. This is demonstrated by the fact that he hasn't once called any of his comrades by their correct names. During interactions he's had with authorities, you will note he doesn't hold much esteem for any office apart from those raised by their fellow citizens.

Scott: If it isn't too late, during the month of story down-time Edo would like to have purchased healing potions, anything that would help his will saves, and kept an eye out for either an enchanted greatsword or enchanted armor. Happy to fast-forward these purchases or accept that the time has passed, without protest.

Bluff is +1. Or did you need an additional roll?

Nope. Just missed it, I guess!

Bassy the gnome looks over at Brandor. "I think Mister Beardy needs 'em more than I do. Let him have 'em." She waves at you.

"Going once at 750. Going twice. Sold to the gentle-uh-dwarf."

"And now we move to lot 11, the assorted scrolls. We have a scroll of campfire wall, a scroll of excruciating deformation, a scroll of haunting mists, and a scroll of magic circle against chaos. The initial bid is 255 gp."

Bassy immediately raises her hand to bid. "I have 255," says Chosk. "Who'll give me 350?"

Scott: If it isn't too late, during the month of story down-time Edo would like to have purchased healing potions, anything that would help his will saves, and kept an eye out for either an enchanted greatsword or enchanted armor. Happy to fast-forward these purchases or accept that the time has passed, without protest.

You can easily purchase healing potions at the Core Rulebook rate. With a whole month to prowl around, you find every magic item that is for sale in town:

House of Abadar: +1 light crossbow, +2 longsword, scroll of restoration (3), wand of cure moderate wounds (39 charges)
Shrine of the Seven Roses: deep red sphere ioun stone, goggles of minute seeing, wand of lesser restoration(43 charges)
Sensina Hides: +1 studded leather armor
Delbin’s Devices: +1 frost short sword, golembane scarab, ring of minor acid resistance
Chance Smithy: +1 bashing heavy steel shield

If you want anything else (like a magic greatsword or armor), you can send away to Oppara for it and it will be ready in time for this scene, but it will cost you 10% more than the Rulebook cost.

"And now we move to lot 11, the assorted scrolls. We have a scroll of campfire wall, a scroll of excruciating deformation, a scroll of haunting mists, and a scroll of magic circle against chaos. The initial bid is 255 gp."

Bassy immediately raises her hand to bid. "I have 255," says Chosk. "Who'll give me 350?"

Looking to Little Liam, Reveka quietly nudged the halfling sorcerer, before discreetly reminding him, "Were you not interested In bidding on Lot 11, Liam?"

Liam's attention is set for the scrolls, he puffs out his chest and pipes up authoritatively, "Here, here.. 350 it is - suffered much to bring them here, would like ownership myself."

Intimidation: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Liam's attention is set for the scrolls, he puffs out his chest and pipes up authoritatively, "Here, here.. 350 it is - suffered much to bring them here, would like ownership myself."

Intimidation: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

Meh, maybe enough...

Hmmm... Primacy or Recency? Which prevails?!

Bassy again looks at you and shrugs. "Why not? Let 'em have them."

Congratulations

After this the Kalistocrats and Mercantile consortium of Maheto go ever higher and higher bidding for Hunclay's spellbook. The Kalistocrats take the bid lot for a bid of 20,000 gp.!

Several more lots from the bedroom, observatory, storage and laboratory are sold, mostly to the Kalistocrats or the Maheto Consortium.

Then it is the turn of the Summoning journal. Here, the bidders are the Kalistocrats, the Maheto Consortium and the stranger, Clausyre. The Kalistocrats take the lot for 6,000, much to the apparent consternation of Clausyre, who stares daggers at them.

Now it's the turn of the Rare Book lot In which you said you were interested.. "The opening bid is 1,100 gp," says Chosk. "This lot consists of four rare antique tomes on astronomy written in Ancient Osiriani and one volume, written I am told in the language 'Aklo' and entitled Secrets of the Dreaming Dark. Who will give me 1100 gold?" The servant of the Kalistocrats immediately raises his hand.

"Eleven hundred. I have eleven hundred! Who'll give me two thousand?" Clausyre raises his hand, showing entirely too much fervor.

"Two thousand! I have I have two thousand. Who'll give me three?" The Mercantile Consortium of Maheto bids three thousand.

"I have three thousand!" says Chosk. "Three thousand! Who'll give me four?"

Uhe's neatly bearded mouth hangs open during the entirety of the auction for the Rare Books. The Dwarven Bard sits there speechless. His neatly cuff inked hands never lifting the paddle. His swanky spectacles never leaving the rare volumes. A lone tear invades his statuesque face; leaving a thin trail of sorrow.
Uhe lifts his other non-auction paddle hand to pat Reveka on her shoulder in comfort.
We will need to adventure a bit more for our next Auction, my dear.

Goodbye (for now) Rare Books!

"Four thousand!" cries the Kalistocrat servant.

"Five thousand five hundred!" roars Clausyre.

"Six thousand!" says Mister Pickets.

"Seven thousand!" says the representative of the Mercenatile Consortium of Maheto.

There is a pause at this point and eventually Clausyre says "Seven thousand one hundred," in a weak voice.

"Seven thousand five hundred!" from the Mercantile Consortium.

"Eight thousand!" says Mr. Pickets.

"Nine!" says the Kalistocrat servant.

"Then thousand!" says the representative of the Mercenatile Consortium of Maheto.

"Eleven thousand!" cries the Kalistocrat himself, losing patience and speaking before his servant.

Everyone is silent.

Breathless, Chosk says "Eleven thousand gold crowns. Who'll give me twelve?" Eleven thousand going once, eleven thousand going twice, sold! Sold to the gentleman from Kerse."

Clausyre stands, furious. “Very well!" he cries out. "I must deliver this bad news to my employer immediately. I bid you all good day!” He then storms out of the amphitheater, an awkward silence in his wake.

After a pause, Bassy says, “I suspect he didn’t mean that last bit.” This wry crack breaks the tension, causing laughter to fill the crowd. The auction continues with the next lot.

"Lot 19," says Chosk. "Three packets of magical dust of darkness.. The initial bid is 600 gp. Who'll give me six hundred?"

"Six hundred," says the Kalistocrat's servant.

"Six fifty," says Bassy.

"I have six hundred fifty crowns. Who'll give me seven hundred?" asks Chosk.

Elated over his win of the scrolls, Liam looks over to his partners, whispering, "I will put some into the pot for the dust, didn't someone mention they thought it'd be helpful? I have 300 I can spare easy."

Don't forget that Lady Origena will cover half your bids, up to 7500 gp.

We will need to adventure a bit more for our next Auction, my dear.

Reveka felt Uhe's consolatory pat on her shoulder and nodded understandingly, albeit a little deflated, at losing the rare books. A small sigh escaped her lips before she shook herself out of her disappointment and added in a quiet but hopeful voice, "There will be other books to discover and make our own,"

Liam looks over to his partners, whispering, "I will put some into the pot for the dust, didn't someone mention they thought it'd be helpful? I have 300 I can spare easy."

"Indeed, it was I who thought we should have some more with us...and I still have the coin I wished to contribute toward the books that I can throw into the pot, if necessary - 550 gold pieces. I can start off with my 500 and Little Liam's generous 300...However if we need more..." she let the sentence trail off as her eyes fixed on Uhe. "My friend, what do you think? Can we use some of your coin as well if these wealthy bidders try to outbid us? If so, perhaps Little Liam can make the bid for the group, as I lack the talent for bluffing or intimidating."

Check, GM. Keeping the baroness' offer in mind but not wanting to lean on it just yet at this stage of bidding...

Uhe smiles.
Of course, my dear. Have a good time. I shall walk about a bit. Need to stretch my legs.

He leaves her the coin, before going off to walk around. The dwarf seems to be enjoying the party.
Uhe talks to many folks at the auction. He seems a bit fixated on gentleman from Kerse...
Knowledge(local) (Int) to gather information: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

EDIT: 500gp is cool.

"Your generosity is most appreciated, my dear Uhe," smiling at her trusted companion (How much is Uhe putting in the pot, as I'm not sure? Thanks!) She then watched as Uhe wandered off, hoping he would be okay in whatever he was doing.

Discreetly, Reveka then passed the pouches of coin to Little Liam. (Assume, there's 500 from Reveka and 500 from Uhe at this stage. Plus Liam's 300 - we can currently bid up to 1300. The required bid at present is 700 gp unless Liam wants to go up higher to ensure we get the dust...I'll leave that up to Liam's discretion.) "Please do what you can, Little Liam. It would be nice to have the dust," still silently downhearted at missing out on the rare books.

Uhe talks to many folks at the auction. He seems a bit fixated on gentleman from Kerse...

Seems a bit strange them spending such coin on Books, then? Although, I do suppose that they will grow in value over time, perhaps? I wonder if he would allow an educational perusal of said Books while he is still in town. For academic purposes, of course.

The poor cat that was unlucky enough to be the BArd's sounding board just continues to groom itself; while barely listening....

The Dwarf returns to Reveka to propose that inquiry.

So? Anyone bidding?

Brandor's out.

Reveka asked Little Liam to bid on their behalf as he has skilled Intimidate and she has neither Bluff nor Intimidate. I guess we'll see how Reveka goes herself.

Seeing that Little Liam was a little preoccupied with the proceedings of the auction, Reveka lifted her squat paddle and made a bid, attempting to bluff the other bidders into leaving the dust to her.

"For a little bit of old dust? I heard that it wasn't created well at all. I bid 800 gold pieces because ... well...I just like the dark colour - so pretty!" Reveka giggled excitedly like it was a fun idea to buy some magical dust at whim, continuing her ruse to get the dust of darkness.

Bluff to win bid for magical dust of darkness: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

apologies all, had a pet death recently.

A little flustered at the goings on, Liam got momentarily confused by the coin changing hands and the information, lost the opportunity to make the bid, but decided to chime in anyways, "Reveka! all that for some colored dust? What on Golorian are you going to use it for? Can't be worth even THAT much!"

Aid Another (Bluff): 1d20 ⇒ 9

Aaugh! just missed it... was hoping for the bump to 23!

Jayla stays in her seat, but is clearly un interested in the proceedings. She did wonder why some musty old books were worth that much gold. "Seems like a lot of gold for something that can't do much for you but sit on a shelf." She mutters to Edo during the most heated moments of the bidding.

"I'm out," says Bassy.

"Nine hundred," says the Kalistocrat's servant.

"I have nine hundred, who'll give me one thousand?" asks Chosk, looking at Reveka.

Edo leans to Jayla. "Me sister and I used a book of old fairy tales to warm the hearth once." He furrows his brow. "But we got that one for copper pieces."

apologies all, had a pet death recently.

A little flustered at the goings on, Liam got momentarily confused by the coin changing hands and the information, lost the opportunity to make the bid, but decided to chime in anyways, "Reveka! all that for some colored dust? What on Golorian are you going to use it for? Can't be worth even THAT much!"

[Dice=Aid Another (Bluff)]1d20

Aaugh! just missed it... was hoping for the bump to 23!

@Liam: I'm so sorry for your loss. Our fur babies mean so much. Hugs.

Reveka noted Little Liam's attempt to help her in the bidding and she gave him a smile and a nod of her head.

The Dwarf returns to Reveka...

Under her breath, Reveka asked Uhe, "Will you help me win this dust?"

"I'm out," says Bassy.

"Nine hundred," says the Kalistocrat's servant.

"I have nine hundred, who'll give me one thousand?" asks Chosk, looking at Reveka.

The bid is rising; glancing at the Kaliistocrat's servant. Why do you want the dust?, Reveka silently pondered. The Kalistocrats had been bidding on different items and paying a lot of coin. Intriguing.

Reveka wished she could cast a spell to help guide her in this next bidding endeavour; yet eyes were directly on her and she could not risk being called out on it. I'll try one more time to win it the old fashioned way...

Drawing a quiet breath, Reveka smiled and then looked at Chosk, "So much coin for a little bit of defective dust!" Then looking to her companions, she added, as part of the ruse, "I know you think me silly to bid good coin on some trifling coloured dust... I could put some in small vials, add leather cords for us to wear as pretty amulets around our necks. I bid 950 gold pieces!" I need to learn how to better convince people, Reveka silently considered.

Bluff: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

Uhe returns to the Auction just in time for Reveka to turn to him for advise. The Dwarven Bard (but not that kind of Bard) smiles warmly at her friend.
I was just inquiring myself about the whys of them spending so much coin on these trinkets.

The fancy dandy Dwarf stand up upon his chair, clears his voice and begins expounding on the virtues of sharing!
Perform Oratory (Int): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
Hero point! Perform Oratory (Int): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
Actually; not certain a Roll is needed. Always thought that was weird.

Bards never get to use this!