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"You didn't bring your lovely elven friend, but who is this beautiful vision?" he says looking at Illthir. "You wouldn't happen to be an understudy for the play would you? I was a bit disappointed by the stoutish redhead in the troupe. The woman looked like she was just making it up as she went along."
"So tell us about your trip. Did you get very far? Giving up by any chance?" he says slyly.
"Mister Renault, may I present Illthir Winlowe, a recent companion. Not an understudy for that particular play, but she is a performer herself."
"I suppose quite a few things have happened since we last met."
"We cleaned out a nest of mites, defeated another bandit gang, and provoked a civil war among a kobold tribe. The winning side is now in our debt. I'd be happy to go over the story in detail if you're interested."
"We're actually here because we're in the market for a new horse. Perhaps you'll give us a look at your stock?"
"Pleasant to meet you Mister Renault." Illthir bobs her head in a greeting. Play? "I must admit I stick mostly to music myself though!"
"Well, I do have a couple horses I could sell you."
Zokon waits til the horse selling is done then he asks
"Good to see you Mister Renault, have you heard of anything that would benefit us please?." Zokon says with his standard seriousness
"You'll understand if I keep that information to myself. I do not hold any personal animosity toward you (though that other gnome who accompanied you would do well to stay away from me) but I have a vested interest in keeping these lands free of Brevic influence."
"Thanks Bokken." Scarlet looks at the potions. "So, where to next? Do we head back? Bokken seems OK."
Zokon nods as Renault talks
"I understand, I just hope this divide will not bring us into conflict at some stage, hopefully whatever comes about it is mutually agreeable."
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"You'll understand if I keep that information to myself. I do not hold any personal animosity toward you (though that other gnome who accompanied you would do well to stay away from me) but I have a vested interest in keeping these lands free of Brevic influence."
"I can certainly understand your position. Brevic politics leaves something to be desired, usually."
"But the Swordlords of Restov seem to be taking a greater interest in the area. If they choose to force the issue you may need to compromise. Better to have a plan for that contingency, don't you think? The way you are established here gives you a good bargaining position, so you might be able to direct things to your advantage."
"Thanks Bokken." Scarlet looks at the potions. "So, where to next? Do we head back? Bokken seems OK."
Suddenly, Scarlet remembers a request Numalar totally gave her before they split up.
"Hey Bokken! Do you sell, um, magical reagents? I think we need that for spells or somethin'. Alia, help me out here."
"NO! GO AWAY! WAIT! What's a 'reagent'?"
If you pester him about these he has 1d6+1 viable samples of each you can buy at your discount price.
"Oh. Wait! I know! I know!" Scarlet thinks reaaaal hard.
"Let's see, um stuff like saltpeter, or magnesium. You know, the stuff you could fertilize with. Or the spirit of wine stuff, too, yeah?" Scarlet's pretty proud of herself. First she torches a bunch of zombies and now she knows the basics of magic ingredients.
"Also -" Illthir let out an innocent whistle. There were some interesting circumstances she managed to piece together. She wasn't sure how or why, but it seemed like the farmer fancied someone that had been really quick to volunteer at heading in the opposite direction. Former lovers? Or maybe just a fling ... Could even be a song's worth in there somewhere! "Maaaaybe the 'lovely elven friend' could take some time out of her busy schedule to come visit if we didn't have to spend so much time exploring. I mean right now the poor thing has to run errands here and there and oh and ah. If only there were some way so she didn't have to works so hard ..."
"Hum. Na, Bokken, she means ingredients. Our gnome dabbles in mixing things up as well...albeit in a different way. But be believes some or the magically active properties would work in his projects, too. So if you have a surplus of some ingredients, we'd love to buy those. I know you want to get busy with those Fangberries, but if you help us out, we may keep our eyes open for extra bottles and trays...", Alia explains to Bokken.
Celyne merely listens to the negotiations, not sure herself what Numalar actually needs. Whatever he needs though, she'll pony up some cash towards the purchases if needed. "I've not got much on me, but surely between us all, we can afford anything he's willing to sell that Numalar needs."
When it becomes clear that Renault isn't going to share his information Illthir looks a bit disappointed. Not because there was something she really wanted to know (she was mostly curious) but because she was sure there was a good story between him and Alia hidden somewhere. Oh well! she guessed she'd have to make it up as it *should* have happened instead. A bit more work sure - but on the bright side this way she would have complete creative control! That thought brought back her good mood.
"Oh - I suppose we should have a look at the horses right?" She grinned at the farmer. Wasn't really sure what she was supposed to look for/at but hey hopefully Zokon or Numalar knew! "After all that's why we are here. Oh. And have you heard any non-useful gossip mister Renault? I'm sure there's something interesting going on around here that won't help the lords of Brevoy!"
Zokon gives the horse a look over to see if he can find anything wrong with the horse
"Ummm... it looks ok to me.."
"Bokken, can I buy some saltpepper? Numalar likes to use that when he blows flames from his mouth."
"You'll understand if I keep that information to myself. I do not hold any personal animosity toward you (though that other gnome who accompanied you would do well to stay away from me) but I have a vested interest in keeping these lands free of Brevic influence."
"I can certainly understand your position. Brevic politics leaves something to be desired, usually."
"But the Swordlords of Restov seem to be taking a greater interest in the area. If they choose to force the issue you may need to compromise. Better to have a plan for that contingency, don't you think? The way you are established here gives you a good bargaining position, so you might be able to direct things to your advantage."
Samuel snorts but leaves it at that.
Zokon gives the horse a look over to see if he can find anything wrong with the horse
"Ummm... it looks ok to me.."
Scarlet pulls out 16 gold pieces and 8 copper pieces. "Okay, this should cover all of it, right? If you have 3 silver pieces I'll take that as change. If not, whatever, keep the extra."
"Oh right then!" Illthir carefully approaches the biggest horse and tries to pet it. Then, assuming it wouldn't try to bite her or anything, she'll ask that Numalar hands over the gold Renault asked for - since she suspected that the gnome kept tabs on the loot.
"Pleasure doing business with you. We'll keep our eyes open.", Alia says to Bokken. Their business had all but been concluded. "Do be careful. As mentioned, the Stag Lord had some people robbed and murdered close by, his lackeys may still be in the area...and we know from our travels, and personal experience, that they are very likely to kill people on a whim. I know you are out here by preference, but if you would like to finish your work and head to Olegs for a week or two, until things calmed down around here, we could escort you there..."
Alia didn't expect the Hermit to take her up on her offer, but was fully ready to see it through. They had found too many bodies marked with the Stags sign - and this area might still be dangerous with some ruthless murderers afoot.
If only Zokon was here...being a Ranger he could probably track the bastards...
Zokon tries to take a few mental notes about Renaults farm, just in case his suspicious mind is correct and action may need to be taken later.
"Pleasure doing business with you. We'll keep our eyes open.", Alia says to Bokken. Their business had all but been concluded. "Do be careful. As mentioned, the Stag Lord had some people robbed and murdered close by, his lackeys may still be in the area...and we know from our travels, and personal experience, that they are very likely to kill people on a whim. I know you are out here by preference, but if you would like to finish your work and head to Olegs for a week or two, until things calmed down around here, we could escort you there..."
"Mmmmm. His elf."
The big horse seems nice enough.
"His name's Walker."
"Nice to meet you Walker!" Illthir told the horse as she continued to pet it. Yeah, this could totally work. "215 gold pieces was it? Seems fair. There's a saddle included in that price somewhere I hope. Otherwise I think I'd want one of those too..."
Renault sighs heavily.
"I suppose you'll want a bit and bridle too?"
"Excellent lets get going. May your future be fortunate Mr Renault." Zokon will mount up ready to depart.
"Gee I'm almost thinking you might be reading my mind." Illthir chuckles and nods. Why yes she'd probably need that too since she was supposed to ride the horse!
Once all the business transactions are complete and the small group is once more heading back to the party Illthir takes some moments enjoy not walking. Riding was much nicer. To celebrate the plays an inspiring tune on her flute!
The trip back is uneventful for both parties, though one party returns a few hours later just before dark.
When Illthir, Numalar and Zokon arrive back everyone is milling about like slightly annoyed chickens who have misplaced their heads.
Svetlana appears suddenly, and quickly hustles Illthir, Numalar and Zokon off to the side away from everyone else.
"It's terrible! I've never cooked from a recipe before and I've already burned all the wooden spoons! Do any of you know how to cook by numbers? You must help, please! Otherwise the whole dinner will be ruined! I mean Numalar you've lived in a noble's house, and Illthir I'm sure has entertained at banquets, and Zokon, well, rangers must live off the land, correct? The three of you must know how to craft a simple feast for a meager twenty or so guests."
"Well certainly we can try and help, lead us to the kitchens, I mean none of those non-stereotypical women are any good in the kitchen anyway."
Zokon will dig in and see what his survival skills can accomplish for him in this situation
"Hey now! I'll have you know I'm excellent in the kitchen. Just not at the cooking part. So I'll fix some drinks and music. Let's see what we have to work with!"
Illthir is eager to help - but she'll have to make sure Walker have someplace to be first. But once that is taken care off she joins Svetlana and the others, taking inventory of the available drinkstuff.
Scarlet isn't sure of what to do here. She usually grabs some meat and throws it over an open flame.
"Um...yeah I can stir somethin'."
Scarlet isn't sure of what to do here. She usually grabs some meat and throws it over an open flame.
"Um...yeah I can stir somethin'."
Scarlet retrieves a sad-looking kaleidoscope from the mud. It has tiny mirrors inlaid about the outside that caught her eye in the late afternoon sun.
"Well certainly we can try and help, lead us to the kitchens, I mean none of those non-stereotypical women are any good in the kitchen anyway."
Zokon will dig in and see what his survival skills can accomplish for him in this situation
Zokon takes a bite as Svetlana looks on.
And manages to keep it down in front of the cook.
"Well? What did you think?" Svetlana asks hopefully.
"Oh this looks nice." Illthir says mostly to herself and the alcohol store. Not much actual work for her to do. Yay! Not much to make anything more colourful with either. Hmph. Oh well maybe it was for the best.
"Oh I'm going to see if the Kobold or the Fairy can help out a bit too. Maybe a little exotic touch yeah? And I bet they're bored out of their mind by now!" she noted to her friends and slipped out of the kitchen just as Zokon started to sample their dinner. With a bit of luck she might even both find and communicate with them!
Zokon tries to look encouraging
"It needs something, some spices i'd say for flavour and time for the flavour to make it's way through. Give me a sec"
Zokon will go find Naleksa
"Hello, I need a little help please, and I would like to make a purchase. Some advice on what to use to cook and to purchase what would help."
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"Perhaps I can help, my good lady. One one condition," Numalar says. "You don't tell those louts in there that I was working in a kitchen. Deal?"
Numalar concentrates for a moment, and his eyes flash with golden light.
"Now then, I can heat these things up, and add a little zing to this and that. But you'll need to tell me what to add and how much. I can even add a bit of color to things if you like."
Svetlana shows the party the directions she has for Oleg's mother's Moon Radish Stew recipe. It contains such strange words as "mince", "pinch", "tbsp", and so on.