Bazzle smiles warmly. "The coffee is going to my head. Must have hit my manners. I am Gleep, Gleep Gnackle." He lets his eyes look excited and he looks up with a look of glee as he eats another bean. "Sabinus . . . Setrona? You know Setrona?"
"I sure do. She ran the tavern right next door. I was there almost every night, dancing, playing devilpin or odds and evens. Setrona's a good friend of mine. I miss her, and hopefully things will clear up for her." She tilts her head and sighs. "Well Mr. Gnackle, is there anything more I can do for you today? Other than thoroughly caffeinate you?" She gives a little grin.
Bazzle looks at her with a bit of sympathy. "You have been as helpful as is wise. Thank you." He left things hanging as if there might be more to their conversation. Leaving the curiosity of how the gnome also knows Setrona linger. He also hinted ambiguously that if she would want to help further she could. He looked to his friends letting them settle their purchases.
Vandomir casually browsed the area with his eyes.
Aster continues to try and find out more information about where the Newt might be.
The woman waves goodbye to the group after they've made their purchases. Vandomir didn't see anything out of the ordinary.
About an hour into more talking, Aster notices a man return to her from earlier in the day. The man seems relatively non-descript, Varisian, brown hair, strong build like any labourer would. He'd hide perfectly in a crowd here in Old Kintargo. The only thing of interest is that he's got a dagger on him now, and he's quite nervous. He says to Aster "Hey... So, who are you, and what do you want with Newt? I mean really, cuz he ain't keen on a group of people he doesn't know asking around for him. You don't look like Dottari, but the guy's tryin to lie low."
Aster smiles softly "We are sorry for causing you or him any distress. Yes, we are not Dottari, nor do we wish him any harm. All we wish to do is make sure he is safe, based on the rumors. We are concerned citizens and if he is as well, we might have a proposition for him." she gestures to Bazzle, "Plus my friend here shares some of the Newt's hobbies and would like to discuss blowing things up... for fun of course." she adds the last part to lighten the mood, because who doesn't like an explosion or two.
Bazzle silently pulls out a card when Aster mentions blowing things up he holds it up. Shows it and then flicks it up as it burns away in a flash.
This guy refers to Newt in a fairly casual way, suggesting he knows the guy and is on good terms with him. What his actual affiliation is however, is unknown. She doesn't notice any signs of lying, or deviousness, coming from the man. He is scared though, as can be seen by the way he keeps eyeing the group's weapons and armour, and trying to stay out of getting surrounded.
The man hesitates as he considers this request. He replies "I could get you to see him, but not like this. Not all of you. We gotta place up the way, and if one of you came by to visit, it wouldn't draw attention."
"That makes sense." Aster looks to Bazzle, quick, smart, hard to catch Bazzle "Would you like to be out emissary, sir?"
"That could work."
"Okay, how bout in an hour you visit 32nd house on Olmer street, go to the back door. Tell the man there that you've got a newt for sale. He'll deal with the rest."
After the agreement's been made, the man walks down the street and into the salt market.
An hour later, Bazzle approaches the 32nd house on Olmer street. It's an old, dilapidated two-story that looks to be leaning over. Bazzle walks around to the back, and notices a half-orc sitting in a chair, smoking from a pipe. The half-orc man wears a simple tunic and pants, but his arms are covered in tattoos. Around his neck are several jewelled necklaces of emerald, and he's wearing silver rings. He hasn't noticed Bazzle yet.
Since Vendalfek is in the Lucky Bones, it's very easy for Bazzle to slip over to their second hideout and collect him. Vendalfek is always keen for adventure!
In addition, Bazzle gets to see some of the starting work on the new lair. Boxes, barrels, and crates have haphazardly been placed in the first room. Nisha and the salties are working hard at cleaning the place, though their work has only just started. Disposing the undead corpses, removing all the rotten food, cleaning filth from the floor. It will take a long time, but hopefully, this place will become a little fortress of their own. Nisha welcomes Bazzle, and gives him her infusions for the day. She says she's finishing up an antiplague today, and then she can start some liquid ice if he'd like her to.
- Cure light wounds (CL4)
- Disguise Self (CL4)
- Blurred Movement (CL4)
- Delay Poison (CL4)
When Bazzle (and an invisible Vendalfek) look into the back of the house, they don't see anything amiss. Considering the half-orc doesn't have any weapons on him, he's likely an unarmed fighter.
Looking over things a the Lucky Bones. "Coming along nicely. Great work."
"Hey Ven. I need your help. I am heading into a meet. I think things should be on the up and up but if things go sidelong. I'll want you run for help. I will need you invisible on this one."
Seeing the unarmed half-orc, Un-armed . . . probably means I don't see his allies. He whispers to Vendalfek, "Here we go buddy."
Bazzle moves toward the half-orc in the alley. "Good day. I have a Newt for sale."
The half-orc takes a second to size up Bazzle, then points to the back door. "Upstairs." He grunts.
Bazzle opens the door and heads into the house. Upon closing the door, Vendalfek whispers "What a grumpy pants."
The house is in complete disrepair, with garbage and rubble laying in the rooms. A good sized hole is in the ceiling of the next room, where someone peers through to take a look at Bazzle. The person nods at him, but doesn't say anything. The place smells like mold and decay, and Bazzle finds the odd rat carcass lying around.
When Bazzle reaches the second floor, he enters the room with the hole in the floor. On the other side is a Varisian man sitting in a chair with a crossbow, and a half-elf woman who looks like she's drunk or otherwise kind of out of it. On Bazzle's side of the room is the familiar face of the Newt. The bug-eyed Gnome with purple hair and long eyebrows. He grins when Bazzle arrives and hops off his chair next to a desk of alchemical equipment. He speaks in Gnomish.
"Whadda sight for sore eyes, kinsman. Buddy didn't tell me one of my own was lookin for me. How's it goin for ya?"
In gnomish he response, "Another day in Kintargo. Missing when that felt more free. Happy to see they didn't get you."
Bazzle looks toward the man with the crossbow trying to get a feel for is Newt is actually safe or if he is just these people's cash cow.
Bazzle looks over a few things on the alchemy table. He continues in gnomish "Well I am in the market for some Liquid Ice. I know that's a esoteric request." He continues making small talk. "Do you have everything you need?" The words and mannerism he is using is that of a customer. But when he made eye contact with Newt he subtlety looked sidelong at the guards.
"Well..." Newt hesitates. "I can't name names, but I was run out by the devil knights. My brother's a drug cook and has a little hideaway, so I've been stayin with em. These guys are some of his boys. I got clean four years ago, but all these guys are hooked, and it's not easy resistin the temptation." He sighs.
"Shouldn't have said all that, but it's good talkin to someone, especially another Gnome."
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Bazzle nods and continues in gnomish, he points to a random bottle on the alchemy table as if that is what he was asking about. "Well you have skills that would be of interests in other circles who run afoul of the devil knights. A shot at getting back to the way things were or should be again."
Newt gestures to the same bottle and goes to pick it up and show Bazzle. "I'm listening. Between devil knights and curfew, I'm either on the run or in the hole. So what circle would be offering this opportunity?"
"Well you'd likely still be on the run. All of us have curfews and know the boot bottom side of devil knights more than we would like. But that's kinda the point of those who would see that changed." He smiles. Continuing in gnomish. He pulls out some coins. "Do you take SILVER." He smiled making sure the guards knew that business was going down. "I have a RAVENous need for liquid ice." He looks up to see if the gnome gives a look of understanding.
Knowing he has talked long with the gnome. Bazzle pulls out a few more coins and nods to the guy with the crossbow. "Can I get a couple hits. My old lady will kill me if I don't bring home some joy."
Newt is shrewd enough to keep up with Bazzle. He nods and says "Alright buddy, you gotta deal. I'll pack my stuff, then help you with that liquid ice problem."
The man with the crossbow looks at the coins in Bazzle's hand and says "Having trouble scraping coins? One platinum for a vial, three for a tincture." He looks at some of Bazzle's gear and adds "We do trades too." The half-elf woman who's somewhat out of it says "We don't do trades." But the man replies "I do trades."
Newt says in Common "If it's for your ma, a vial should be enough, unless she's looking for something like this." He gestures to the half-elf woman.
"One vial will do." He notes the once over the man gets him and tries not to realize that he is loaded with gear and enough gold to afford this and then some. He reaches into his pouch and pulls out the required.
Bazzle gives ten gold pieces for the vial. It's a brownish liquid, but Bazzle has enough experience in alchemy to recognize the drug by its alchemical name, Papaver Somniferum. It's a non-magical drug used to relieve pain, encourage sleep, and creates a sense of euphoria. It is quite addictive, even in small doses. In Cheliax, discovery of Papaver Somniferum results in servitude to the church of Asmodeus, while evidence to sell results in hanging (and a ban on resurrections). Nobles and other privileged individuals can expect lighter sentences.
Type: Non-magic, ingested
Addiction: Varies (13-17)
1 vial is worth 10gp, 1 tincture is worth 30gp, 1 poison is worth 100gp
Common uses include sleeping aid, pain medication, euphoric feeling, surgical aid, poison
Found in nature, preserved in alcohol
A vial suppresses all non-magical pain effects (such as Str and Dex penalties from old age) and grants a +1 morale bonus on Will saving throws against emotion effects. Imposes a -2 alchemical penalty to Will saves against sleep, and sleep spells can affect the imbiber regardless of hitdice (treat hitdice as 1). Effects last 2d4 hours. The DC for addiction is 13.
A tincture suppresses all pain effects, grants a +4 alchemical bonus to saving throws against pain effects, a +2 morale bonus on Will saving throws against emotion effects, and allows the imbiber to stay conscious even when below 0 hitpoints. Imposes the drowsy (mild) condition. Sleep spells can affect the imbiber regardless of hitdice, and the spell cannot be broken due to damage, nor being roused by another creature. An imbiber who wants to rage, bloodrage, or use an emotion component needs to make a DC15 Will save to do so. Effects last 1d6+2 hours. The addiction DC is 15.
Overdose: When 1+1d3 tinctures are used within one day, the imbiber must make a DC15 Fort save (DC17 if using while already under the influence). Failure results in the unconscious condition, which lasts for 1d4-1 hours (minimum 10 minutes), after which the imbiber dies. Smelling salts allow for a new saving throw, while spells such as delay/remove poison act accordingly.
A poison is an intentionally highly concentrated dose designed to overdose. It is meant to be ingested, but can be used as an injury poison with a -4 to both DCs. The target gains the benefits of a tincture before going into overdose. The ingested DC is 17, as is the addiction DC. The tincture's effects last for 8 hours.
I haven't written withdrawal rules yet
Bazzle waits for Newt and heads out. He finds where the others are waiting. He smiles, "I ran into my cousin Dweezle Gnackle. I newt him from the old days."
"Dweezle these are some friends. Lets get out of the elements where we can comfortable talk."
Bazzle looks about, and speaks to the invisible Vendelfeck, "You did good."
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"Welcome Dweezle" Aster gives the Newt a formal bow. Then to Bazzle, she says "You did good as well, dear Bazzle."
Bazzle smiles at the praise. "Let's get go."
Vendalfek the faerie dragon materializes and hops onto Bazzle's shoulder. "I was so quiet! Did you notice that?"
Newt bows in return and says "I'm in your service." He eyes the faerie dragon with some unease.
"You were buddy you were."
He looks to the other gnome. "Don't worry he is fierce but he is on our side."
Newt nods to the Faerie dragon. Turning back to Bazzle, he says "So, I see you got a bomb-making kit. What's your specialty?"
"Well." He smiles, "I have always liked fireworks. But until the recent unpleasantness I worked in the opera. My engineering and alchemy were great for special effects."
Newt nods as the group starts walking to the Lucky Bones. "And you need liquid ice. Just one?"
Abbo silently greets Bazzle and Dweezle with a smile, but then holds. He waits until the immediate leadership is available to pull them together to talk about Laria and the coffeehouse.
"I think we need a lot of liquid ice."
Vandomir has casually, and amusedly, observed the various interactions.
Laria grits her teeth and says "On average? I'm going 24 gold pieces into the hole each week." She sighs with frustration.
"That doesn't include Nisha's expenses, which cuts in pretty deep. I've been hoping that we get a ton of supporters who keep us going, and they help, but it's not enough. The more teams and allies we make, the more money I have to make."
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Newt offers "You're probably better off with frost bombs, bucko. I can teach ya the basics."
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"Nice."
Bazzle turns down a less crowded street. Making eye contact with his allies. "Keep eyes up."
"Newt. Now that we are out of your brother's place. We can talk more freely. I was keeping things on the down low. I know you are avoiding the heat. Our offer which I think you picked up on is that we have a place where you can lay low and avoid legal trouble being that Dot is after you and ran you out of business. What we need from you . . . sure we need some liquid ice, the frost bombs sound awesome by the way. But we are part of an effort to address the injustices like the one you suffered. If your down for that struggle. If not we are happy to do business with you but the offer of a place to stay and our protection would for our own safety not be on the table. We can keep an alchemist busy and your skill set will be put to use largely behind the scenes if that is what you want. But your trading one place to stay that you don't want the law to know about for another you don't want the law to know about. But we can keep you away from the monkeys on your back a little easier. Is that something what you want?"
Newt listens intently before speaking "Absolutely I want in. Those Hellknights are gonna pay. The Torrent never gave me problems, but these Racks, and the CCG, and all these stupid proclamations. If I can help deal with these bubs I'm in, but I don't wanna be the guy stabbin them in the back. Beats sittin in a cookhouse for the rest of my life. Just keep the drugs outta my sight. I can't deal with that s**~ much longer."
Bazzle smiles.
"Well I only bought some because I wanted your oversee-er not to get suspicious. Some situations like that aren't healthy."
Bazzle does notice that Newt hasn't said anything that includes the suffering of others, though it doesn't seem to be an intentional mishap. So far his interest seems to be retribution, as well as avoiding relapsing into drug use. He's also most friendly with Bazzle, and so far hasn't paid much attention to the others. No lies, from what Bazzle can tell.
"Well glad to have you with us. So Frost Bombs . . . that's a thing."
Bazzle walks with the others and Newt back to the Lucky Bones.
Once back at the Bones Bazzle introduces Newt to the crew and shows him around. "This place is being fixed up as you can see. But it should be a good spot." He brings Newt to Nisha, "Nisha, this is Newt. Newt this is Nisha. Newt is an alchemist and will be giving you a hand if you need it. He used to run an alchemist stall before he was targeted by the Hell Knights."