Aya looks for Hortense. Upon finding him she asks him, Do you have any interest in selling minor magic items? If so would you be interested in a Brooch of Shielding? I could make one for you at a price of 1125 gold. It would be worth 1500 or more to the right customer.
Nia'Nikta looks at bit taken aback by his words but nods solemnly. She had heard of such rituals. "I am sorry Alyra, I can not hear, nor feel it." Passing off him moving into the conversation as she looked at Reiko. "It seems your memory is slowly returning. What else do you remember that may help us discover what is going on?"
Nia straightened her jacket as she looked around. Her time had been spent gathering information and studying in the simple library along with the blade. She would have to work with Aya more often to gain her expertise on identifying magic items. Aya definitely had a gift. She would go through the festival looking for two beautiful hair pieces for her and Sakura. When they start their journey she would present them to the girls.
Worry ate at her but also slight concern. The ramifications of what her parents had said all those years ago could mean anything. And she didn't know what it would be.
Hortense smiles broadly. I so rarely have the opportunity to carry items of significant magical capability. Still, finding a buyer could prove challenging. Perhaps at a thousand gold?
Antonio celebrated along with the rest of the town, making such patrols as the Sheriff deemed necessary and sharing (suitably punched up) stories of the Companys adventures.
He was friendly (but not TOO friendly) with Miriam Gotson. He pored over maps, seeking the best routes for a possible venture to the Monastary. He continued to watch for the mist creatures that had attacked twice before.
Perhaps the monastery should be our next destination, despite the book Auric carries. What do you think?
Antonio nodded.
"Hear hear! That was my very thought Reiko. The cultists seem to have been marginalized, at least for now. The mist-feinds have brazenly assaulted the town twice, in the teeth of every force we could bring to bear. And they retreated in good order!""...Monastery seems like the best lead for either of the two."
"There! You see? Nia agrees!"
I'll trust that the magic is there. I'm holding too much of yours for you to cheat me.
Hortense grins and chuckles.
Aya then waits for the party to regather at the Mug.
Reiko glances around at the mention of a humming sound.
Ive heard nothing, but you are a magical creature. You may be more in tune than we are.A hunch strikes him, and he asks
Can you tell a direction? Could it be coming from that monastery?
No, I don't think the monastery, but it's hard to tell. It's all around. It might be coming from anywhere.
At the gathering that evening Aya reminds the party members of the gear she is holding for the party.
4 darts.
1 dart with sleep poison
3 bottles of alchemist's fire.
1 Alchemical Tinkering scroll.
2 crocks of healing salve (1d8)
2 Thunderstones.
12 Tindertwigs.
2 vials of acid
2 vials of poison
She says she is also holding 515 gold, 18 silver, and a large crystal on a leather thong appraised at 50 gold.
She offers to make any Wondrous Item she is capable of making at cost for any party member. The party member must give her the required gold up-front. If the base cost is less than 2000 gold, it will take 8 hours to make.
After Aya goes through her inventory list, Auric hesitantly speaks up, "I don't think I was with you when you recovered these items... but if you have one or two flasks of alchemist's fire to spare, I'd be glad to have them..."
"I am worried. I think we should move on to the monastery. Alyra is growing more and more distracted by something only she can sense. She doesn't even know the source of this thrumming. Nor where its coming from. She says it is coming from all around." This news given to them doesn't alleviate her opinion maybe they should have pressed on but she politely keeps that to herself. Baldek had needed armor and it seemed like people had needed to relax a little. She just can't shake the feeling it may have been a bad thing.
Sighing to herself Reiko's assessment on how a Titan's child was made by the hands of "mortals" bothered her. It was no closer to what her parents may have had in their possession or what they had been bargaining with. And with Alyra distracted her source of information about History and the Titan's wasn't tenable to keep asking questions of.
"Are you splitting the money evenly? And if not, whom is getting a portion of what of the coins? Along with Auric I was not there for much. If I could request any items it would be a Thunderstone, a vial of Acid, and all the darts."
Nia'Nikta is obviously worried and doesn't try to hide it.
"Thank you Aya for your kind offer but for now I am good. I may think of something later. When does everyone want to leave for the monastery?"
Aya turns toward Auric, smiles, and hands him two flasks of alchemist's fire. It matters not whether you were with the party when these were found. It matters only that you are with the party now.
Aya then turns toward Nia'Nikta, still smiling, and hands her a Thunderstone, a vial of Acid, and all the darts 9being careful not to touch the tip of the one with the sleep poison. We are fortunate to have Auric's and your skills with us when we face the great evil that I am led to believe that we are pursuing. Before you became part of out party I undertook the responsibility to look after the party goods and funds. We plan to use to funds for things that benefit the entire party such as potions and wands of curing. If the party no longer believes that that is the best use of the funds, I will surly distribute them as directed. I, myself, still believe that setting aside some portions of the recovered funds is in the best interest of the party.
Aya then turns to face the gathered party members and asks; What do you folks think?
Antonio nodded at Aya's comment.
"Sounds good to me. Were you able to locate a Wand of curing wounds? I think that might be real important for our company down the line."
"Hey hey! Looking good Baldek! Lemme help you with that..." Said Antonio cheerily.
He fumbled around with the buckles and straps.
"Is that too tight buddy? Oh well; guess we gotta get a specialist to get it just right. Otherwise the straps will cut into your flesh when you need it most."
Said Antonio leaning back and looking critically at his crooked handiwork.
"I know that everyone has had matters they desired to look after, and that many needed a well earned rest after the events with the ogres" Auric says to the group as Antonio and Baldrek do what they can with the dwarf's ill-fitting armor, "but there are still some pressing issues that require attention, and I can no longer justify to my self not being pro-active about them. I believe the Stone Watchman has brought us together for a purpose... I would like very much to stay together and discover what that is, but if you are not yet ready for action I fear I may need to set out on my own until Goldar reunites us..."
"I have voiced my opinion on the same. I am heading out to the Monastery. Who else is coming with? I am sorry Baldek, I have no skill with armor."
She bit back the commments 'I am surprised not to see worry on your faces for Alyra. She has healed you and guided you and even when I mention it gets little reaction.'
Nia'Nikta was being polite though it grated her so. Her worry for Alyra was definitely there. While she was a great source of information for history and the titans, Nia was quite fond of the strange woman and was hoping to find out what was bothering her. Her fears were though it dealt with this cult unchecked.
"My apologies, Nia, once again I was absent when you spoke up." Auric states with an acknowledging nod, "The Monastery sounds like a fine place to start."