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Grant takes Whitney's paper and studies it for several moments, his brow quirked with curiosity. "Well, damn. Got a hidden Lore Generation macro that I need to know about?" He grins during the good-natured teasing, but a gleam of admiration flickers in his eyes. "I'll rework the name and a few details, but for the most part, I think this will work. Thanks!"
He pauses to greet and wave at a few passersby. "All you have to do is figure out what mark you want to leave on the world, and then do it a little bit at a time every day. As for the auction... don't be afraid to bid with money you don't have. Also, go after what you want like nobody's business, but make sure you know what you want before you bid." He winks mischievously.
Whitney blushes. Oh, you know ... all former English majors are actually just frustrated novelists. It just leaks out here and there. ... Once you get it incorporated, let me know the name. My character will be a worshipper.
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Zanessa tries to figure out what Grumdil is hinting at. Is he trying to say he knows the item that we are supposed to be bidding on, or that he is going to take it, or ...? She studies him, trying to figure out whether he seems like a good guy or a bad guy.
"Actually... I might have an idea about that. We'll cross that bridge when we get to it, but I think I can make something good with this."
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Aspiring Merchant: Grumdil's words struck a chord with you, giving you a renewed desire to master the art of bartering. You gain a +1 bonus on skill checks related to bartering or trading for goods and services, as well as Appraise checks to identify the value of goods and services you've researched beforehand.
"Anything else would take more time than I currently have and lengthy explanations from someone far more patient than myself," he adds with a smile. "Is there anything else I can help you with?"
Whitney says Wow, a trait. Thanks. ... Are traits theoretically unlimited, or are they limited, so we need to be careful where we pick them up?
_____
Thank you, Grumdil. You have helped me a lot. I appreciate it.
Zanessa's words seem a lot more heartfelt than they did before. She often just says the nice thing or the fun thing, but it is clear that she really means what she is saying this time.
Then, as suddenly as it was there, she is back to normal with a big smile and bright words:
We'll be off, but I'll start saving so I can afford to buy something from you next time.
"There's an obvious soft cap on traits to keep your characters from having too much cheese, but I'm granting custom traits that fit your characters' roles and will improve over time to stay relevant. I prefer to enable, not handicap." Grant says all this with a straight face, oblivious to his own 'granting traits' pun.
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"That you should, young lady." Grumdil stops twirling his beard just long enough to bow courteously and wave farewell. "Enjoy your day, and be sure to take advantage of having half the world brought to your feet."
Having gained all you can from the kindly dwarf, you feel better about your odds of finding and securing the journal, even though most of the details have yet to be filled in.
Jay's eyebrow wiggles at the exchange. "Quite the carrot to encourage roleplaying." Chuckling at the english major joke, the motorcyclist grabs another canned tea.
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Exaggerating his distaste, the paladin mock glowers. "I'll have you know I fell off a potatoes cart, thank you very much."
Done with his little act, Augrer nods. "As long as you're willing to provide some information on this place in return. I'd like to know what snakes I'm poking."
Dan blinks unsure as to the joke and shrugs letting it go over his head.
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"Ah I'll remember that the next time" She laughs as she stops and sees a simple flower plucking it from the window box and placing it in her hair. A bright yellow flower.
"Ah gotcha,I myself haven't been here long. I have been doing some simple gathers here and there with interested and interesting folks" She says as she walks and looks at the fabric.
"Mind if I use you as a tailor dummy, I really want to get the dimensions of this coat right"
Olivia has been mostly silent when Erthriel isn't involved, listening intently to the others going about their business.
=============
Erthriel forks over the 5 silvers and gets her fried-bread-on-a-stick in return. As she moves away and takes a bite, lowering her life expectancy by a few years , she can't help but remark out loud: "Oh, this really is very good."
Zanessa keeps visiting the list of merchants that were selling Dwarven rugs, trying to find anyone named Ollie, or some kind of swan sign (without being obvious or giving away the clues to others).
"Carrots are always preferable to sticks. I'm just trying to put the 'RP' back in 'RPG' - you know how it goes."
Butchered figures of speech aside, it's clear that she means the Regency has been struggling with Adelveldt for quite some time.
In the meantime, it seems the two of you have some catching up to do, and Olivia waggles her eyebrows at you both, though it's difficult to see beneath her matted bangs. "Don't go mashin' your potatoes too much, yeah?" Before she can get entirely too suggestive for an impressionable lady of such a young age, a pair of half-orc men and a half-elf woman approach the stall, forcing her attention elsewhere.
Surveying the crowds reveals a sort of complicated dance going on among the shoppers - pushing each other out of the way, taking ground wherever it's given, and a surprising lack of altercations going on during one of the busiest times of the day. A blur of movement off to your left catches your eye for a moment, but on a second glance, all you see is a fox traipsing off down an alley and disappearing from view. Being the seasoned ranger that you are, you may wonder why such a normally skittish creature would wander into this mass of people, but then again, the caravan always brings oddities trailing in its wake when it arrives in town.
As you approach, she turns to you and nods at each of you in turn. "You all lookin' to buy somethin' nice? I can 'elp - I'm in charge 'til my dad gets back."
Hi. That's nice of you to fill in for your dad. What's your name?
I'm Zanessa. Do you have some items that are going to be in the upcoming auction?
"Olivia, but people call me a nuisance sometimes. I run the cart while my dad's away. I get to do it a lot, so I can tell ya what ya need to know."
She ponders your question for a little while before replying, "Yeah, we do. Dad says we've got to keep the details hush-hush, but we're sellin' some real fine stuff. Should keep us in the inns for a few months on the road. Ya should bid on it y'self." She peers up at Lorek with her eyebrows raised. "Ya sure look tough, mister. I bet ya could beat that stable boy with the hammer right into the dirt."
Do people ever call you Ollie?
Zanessa thinks about it, and decides to take the chance. She lowers her voice a little without acting suspiciously in any other way.
We're looking for a very specific Dwarven rug, and if we could get it before the auction it might save everyone a lot of trouble. It's supposed to have a certain look to it that I would recognize. I know it is unusual, but is there any chance I could look yours over and maybe get a jump on the auction? I saw some Regency types in the crowd, and they always make me nervous. I'd like to buy what I need to buy before they get involved.
The girl looks genuinely suspicious of you once you start asking about jumping the line and looking at the auction items. "Not very sportin' of ya, is it? We already signed for it and everythin' else, so don't ya go tryin' to cheat everyone else out of their chance to buy. They'll prob'ly pay more'n all of ya." She scowls and shakes her head defiantly, her bangs flopping as she moves, but something about her aggressive back-talking seems a bit... off.
Oh, man... says Whitney. Why does it always have to be Sense Motive? Why can't it be Diplomacy or something?
_____
Zanessa's shoulders slump at the girl's suspicion. She raises both hands placatingly.
Still speaking softly so that no Regency spies overhear, she says Sorry, Ollie. I didn't mean to scare you. I was just hoping we could avoid doing this in public with the stupid Regency watching. Safer for everyone. You know it isn't about the rug at all. I understand though. Hard to trust. I'll wait for the signal with everyone else I suppose. Sorry again for making you uncomfortable.
She turns around and walks away. She leaves it to Kaden or Torek if they want to say something else to help her understand they are the good guys, but either way, she knew that her plan had backfired and so *she* wasn't the right person to be talking to the girl anymore. She just hoped she hadn't destroyed the entire mission.
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Olivia looks inquisitively at Grant, wondering if following this hook is a good idea or not.
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A fox? Erthriel is intrigued enough to lose focus on her delicious (and inexpensive) food. It didn't look hurt...perhaps it's lost and needs help. Quickly downing what's left of her meal, the elf heads off towards the alleyway, keeping her eyes alert (and partially on her coin purse, assuming it's still there).
"Mashing Potatoes? Okay, that is original to me" Dan says with a chuckle as he looks at the others and seems to be enjoying himself.
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"Thank you for the information..Um I am sorry little girl what is your name?" She says looking at the girl with a wide smile happy that she wasn't some urchin trying to pick her pocket.
At the comment, she turns and looks at Olivia scowling and lightly blushing at the same time."Later Liv" She says after she looks to Augrer to see if he gets the innuendo.
"Look, Stableboy, how about we slip in get a drink and talk?"
"Miss?" She hurries up to you and puts a small object in your hand. "I think ya dropped this. Might want to keep a closer eye on this in the future, yeah?" She runs back to the cart, leaving you holding a fine broach fashioned in the form of a swimming swan. If your hunch is correct, you haven't disrupted anything; you may have just gotten your first solid lead in your search for the journal's whereabouts.
You give chase down the alley, but even being a fast runner and having sharp senses, you fail to spot any sign of the fox. A few pedestrians mill about on their way to and from the market, giving you a curious glance as you come running by.
Zanessa accepts the broach, smiling and bowing her thanks to Olivia, and is somewhat excited at the additional confirmation of what she had suspected. However, she is still confused. Why give her the sign and not the book?
Were they really going to have to gain it through a public auction when both sides now knew each other, and it would be so much safer to make the transaction privately? She didn't understand what was going on.
Any ideas? she asks Torek. Should we go find Bertram?
Holding out a finger, Jay's uselessly opens his mouth and closes until he shakes his head. "That's creative. I know Idahoans who fit less tuber puns and metaphors into their speech."
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Shrugging, the paladin rests his warhammer across his shoulders. "Sure, I don't see the harm in helping you with your work. Though I wish to ask, why a long coat?"
Chuckling under his breath at the innuendo, Augrer nods to the seamstress holy woman. "Drinks sound wonderful, though don't be angry if I drink you under the table."
Aeshelia smiles and laughs "I wasn't recommending us to get drunk. I mean are you wanting to take advantage of innocent ol' me?" She laughed some more before she walked over to the Explorers' Rest.
"Just kidding you are not my type, well not until you at least start dressing better." She turns to see if the fresh off the potato cart farm boy Temerite was blushing.If so she will laugh louder if not she will let the laughter die off.
"As for the coat." Aeshelia pauses and looks at him. "Well let's have a drink first and I will be able to better judge whether or not I can trust you Young Temerite"
She opens the door to the Explorers' Rest and gestures like a gentleman should "After you Stableboy"
The barkeep must also be a big fan, because he's dressed in a replica of Vanselir's most famous explorer's uniform, right down to the replica of his red-and-white striped ascot. "Welcome, friends! Come in and enjoy yourselves." Noting that the two of you make an oddly appealing couple, he adds, "Not to worry - no one will bother you during the slow hours." He snickers at his own comment.
Zanessa looks thoughtful, willing to go along with the plan and see if it works out. She continues down the list of the people offering things in the auction, visiting each one, so that by observation no one would be able to point to Ollie's cart.
"Someone start the trumpets for all this triumph!" With that Jay mimics playing a trumpet, somehow giving a terrible tune out of an air instrument.
________
A single dry laugh is all Aeshelia gets from the mention of less appropriate activities, before pausing to stare at the woman. "Wouldn't that make you attracted to the clothes, not the people?"
Ignoring all his instincts that she should enter first, Augrer nods with a mild laugh. "Is that a super power? Most people judge poorly after a drink."[b/] Pausing as he enters the room, the holy man takes the barkeep's words with a face of relief. [b]"Thanks Temerious, I was worried I'd accidentally start a bar brawl."
"Just doing my part to keep the mood light," Grant replies. "There'll be plenty of time for gloom and doom down the road."
"Wow people really don't like Temerious" Dan says taking a big swing of his tea."Looks like you have alot of work to do Jay, to turn your characters faith around."
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"Ah parish the thought, if you like a person strong enough clothes don't matter" she says before she leans in and elbows the Temerite before she whispered in his ear."They usually don't stay on that long anyway"
"Why would you say that liquor is just the right thing to get to the persons true self without spells. It lowers your inhibitions and you speak truths you wouldn't normally speak" She says not sugar coating the fact that this was her intent. NO need to lie in this endeavor.
"Fear not barkeep I'll make sure he behaves himself." She says crossing her finger over her breastplate before she continues."Passions' Promise" she said with a wink. Inwardly she chastised herself for letting the old greeting promise of Cyanthia slip out.
Erthriel is disappointed by the disappearance of the fox, but she isn't surprised - the creatures are shy and slippery enough in the forest. She gives one last glance around for any sign of the animal, then heads back towards the merchant caravan.
"Followers of opposed deities getting together over drinks? I'd ship that." Grant laughs at the absurdity of the situation. "I knew approving both your characters for the party would make things interesting, but I was expecting a completely different type of tension."
The tavern's only other occupant, an elderly farmer type, gets up unsteadily from his chair, toddles over to the door, and runs into the doorframe twice before managing to leave. You can see him stumbling down the street for a few seconds before the heavy door closes, leaving you in a state of relative silence.
You arrive back in the square just in time to watch the caravan members, aided by local guild craftsmen and a few volunteers, fully assembling the auction stage. Judging from their movements, the items up for auction appear to be stored in a nearby building, and a list of what's being sold is on display next to the stage.
Nodding, Jay takes a sip from his drink. "You're telling me." At Grant's comment, the paladin's player sputters, nearly choking on his drink. "Sorry Dan, but that's a firm nope. If you want to ship Grant, I'm sure we could get you a captain's hat somewhere."
_________________________________
Glad to see he hadn't misjudged the young cleric, Augrer's mouth gapes like a fish at her comment. "I...wouldn't know."
Shrugging his shoulders, the paladin retorts, "True, but oftentimes people become fools with alcohol. Boasting is often as much as falsehood as a lie." Chuckling, he adds, "If you match them drink for drink, your judging skill may be as impaired as your vision."
At the curious promise, Augrer tries to remember if it was a sign of her faith or just a local custom. Aloud, he smiles and places his wahammer against the floor. "You have my word, no religon fueled brawls.
"The GM has final say in all ships," Grant intones with an air of authority. The s&@&-eating grin has yet to leave his face. "For the record, I already have a captain's hat in my closet."
=====
The tavern keeper's reply is cut off by the shrill clang of metal on metal, which reveals itself to be the rhythm banging of an extremely loud bell. Shortly after it begins, a horn can be heard from outside the town - one long, high-pitched blast followed by two shorter, low-pitched ones. The bell-ringing continues, casting its cacophonous sound over every street, but you can make out panicked cries and running feet between the explosive rings.
"Nomads on market day?! Run! Get out of here!" The tavern keeper frantically whisks away your drinks and runs into the back room, sliding the deadbolt into place behind him. It doesn't take a local to know the threat that Nomads pose to settlements and the people within them, and the promise of exotic goods from all over Mirgaard likely drew them in like flies to a corpse.
Hearing the bell and the horns, Zanessa draws her bow and rushes towards the inevitable conflict, only pausing long enough to say Come on! to her companions, and to glance towards Ollie's stall, knowing that there was more here to protect than could be seen on the surface.
"Maybe Erthriel shouldn't have eaten all those mushrooms in the woods, the way she's seeing things", Olivia jokes. Then, as Grant advances the plot, she asks: "Nomads? I don't remember reading about those. Are they the barbarian tribe people?"
================
Erthriel has just settled in to watch the auction when a horrible ruckus breaks out - must be invaders again. Moving through the fleeing townsfolk towards her home, she also draws and strings her bow, ready to defend herself should the need arise.
"Nomads fun. Seems we'll get to see what we can do in a fight!" Dan says with a smile before he stands and stretches.
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"What what Nomads? Hang on a second I mean wouldn't it be safer for us..." And she stops noting that they were already back into a secure area. Looking to the farmboy across from her she shook her head."Well stableboy I hope you know how to use that thing because I am pretty sure by there reaction these NOmads aren't here for the atmosphere!"
To prove her point she slips the bolt of fabric in her pack before standing and prepping her Flail and shield.
"Lets be ready for anything." She states as she calls to the hidden tavern owners."So these nomads are they able to be reasoned with or do we have to unleash the Storms' Divine Fury on them. I mean I am half tempted to do that anyways. Especially since it interrupted my drink!"
-------
"With that, I am heading to the bathroom. Anything need anything while I am up?"
Laughing at Grant's shrap tongue, the biker grins. "If we're shipping, surely we need a pirate's touch matey?"
"It's high time these fools found Jesus, Jesus being the hammer." Blowing on his d20 in his closed hand, Jay smiles. "Well, either they take us and we find out or we do some interrogating."
___________________________________
At the sound of the horn, Augrer watches his drink disappear with a slight air of melancholy. "And here I thought I might get to relax for a moment." Giving a snort at the question of safety, the Temerite lifts his hammer into the air before banging his buckler against it. "Temerious, hear my plea. I ask for the might of the forge so that I may protect this flock."
Reclining his holy weapon across his shoulder the paladin gives a harsh grin. "Given this reaction, I'm going to assume the horn wasn't a call for free meals, but hey, I've been wrong before. Though I have seen people react the same to tax collectors, so it's a coin toss."
Grant shifts in his chair, looking mildly embarrassed. "As it just so happens, I let one of my buddies borrow a bunch of minis and my game mat for an emergency, and I still haven't gotten them back. We'll have to use theater of the mind for this combat."
=====
Each of you move back toward the square, fighting the fleeing crowd of townsfolk as they rush to safety. It's difficult to make out anything in the midst of the panic, but as the people start to clear out, you can see the bedraggled militia with their makeshift weapons trying to fend off the attackers.
Zanessa spies Olivia hiding behind her cart, safely out of sight of the Nomads for now. The girl is frightened and tears streak her dirty cheeks, but she doesn't make a sound.
Erthriel enters the square opposite the attackers, her weapon drawn and ready but spying no one to use it against.
Aeshelia and Augrer charge into the square, ending up much closer to the Nomads than anticipated and surprising a few of the raiders.
The bolded individuals may act in the surprise round.
Zanessa
Erthriel
Augrer
Militia
Nomads
Aeshelia
Erthriel continues on around the right side of the ring of carts carefully until the nomads come into view. Seeing them in her way, she quickly nocks an arrow and shoots it off towards the intruders...but she misses horribly.
=================
"Wow, that's three ones in a row." Olivia can't help but laugh at her horrible luck, covering her face in mock shame.
Whitney says Theatre of the mind is cool, but I have an extra battle mat and minis in my bag, if you prefer.
_____
Zanessa starts shooting, targeting the combatants with ranged capabilities first (unless she spots a caster).
Her first shot is way off and she glances sheepishly at Torek, who had taught her archery, hoping he wouldn't be disappointed in her. She breathes and tries to focus for her next shot.
Staring at the one like it just reveal it slept with his mother, Jay sighs. "Well, if this continues we may just be rolling up new characters." Grabbing his drink, the young motorcyclist drowns his shame in sugary tea. In betweens chugging gulps, he waves his hand. "I'm ready to be shamed DM. Though please, don't let the rogue arrow harms Augrer's dashing face." Leaning close as he mock whispers, he adds, "Good guys can't be ugly, unless they're dwarves."
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Giving Aeshelia a sideways glance, Augrer takes a moment to breath deep. Exhaling, the holy warrior rushes out, before making a wide swing with his hammer in attempt to make use of his momentum at the nearest nomad.
Dan shakes his head."Not true I have played handsome dwarves and once an Elf with half a face! both heroes!" He says before he grabs a leather-bound notebook opens up to a page and rubs his dice over a name.
"I suggest a fame rub, might improve your rolls" after a good rub over the famous designer's names he then rolls them to see exactly where fate lay for Aeshelia!
-----------------
Aeshelia has her Flail out and begins to let the heavy metal ball spin around in a tight powerful circle. She stands her ground leaning into her left leg her Sheild and body posture tight and low. She takes whatever blow they decide to give her and with a whip over her shield she lets fly the metal ball into the horse before her.
Whitney says to Dan Looks like your "fame rub" worked out great.
"Yeah it doesn't always work"He shrugs shaking his head."Still, I do have Dave and Garys'sigantures"
Surprise Round
Erthriel runs closer to get a better look at the Nomads!
Zanessa fires and misses, meriting a disapproving look from Torek and a derisive snort from her half-brother.
Round 1
Erthriel manages to get line of sight and fires, but her shot goes wide and skewers the wooden sign of Pouches and Pincushions. It's shaped exactly how you would expect.
Augrer rushes in and effectively waves a hammer in the Nomad's face, making him No-mad enough to ignore the militia member he's currently fighting.
The three remaining militia fighters try to fend off the Nomads!
Undeterred by the gangly older men with makeshift weapons, the Nomads close in, disposing of the Second Militia with a pair of well-placed strikes!
(Crit Threat!)
(Does Not Confirm)
The fifth Nomad in melee range withdraws to the building holding the auction items. Meanwhile, the Nomad archers, noting the arrows whizzing past their comrades, run for cover and prepare to strike!
Aeshelia imitates Augrer's stunt and stunts her offensive efforts against the grunts.
Round 2
Zanessa
Erthriel
Augrer
Militia (First/Third unharmed, Second dying)
Nomads
Aeshelia
Zanessa keeps shooting.
Round One:
Round Two:
She glances up, but Torek and Kaden are both thankfully too busy to condemn her for that miss.
Olivia is deep into her tablet again as the others go about their turns, but when it's hers again she looks up. "Uh...I forgot about favored enemy bonus! Though that wouldn't help the last turn, of course. Let's see...that's plus two to attack and damage...and oh! I can do the knowledge check, I think?"
================
Erthriel looses another arrow downrange towards another of the human raiders, then looks for cover herself as she tries to recall what she knows of the nomads.
================
"Well, that was a lot better. Maybe these dice aren't weighted after all." Olivia flashes a grin.
"Well you can see if they are off by putting it in a cup of water. I forget what to look for but its on the internet."
"Lets just hope the 1s' aren't a trend for us"
------------------------------
"Fine be that way!" Aeshelia growls as she whirls the flail and whips it out at the Nomad seeking to deal some damage this time.
Giving another sigh at his result, Jay mumbles, "I'm glad I gave up smite for the extra healing. I'm going to need it." Pausing, the biker sheepishly adds, "Oh yeah, the plus one is from Judgement."
__________________
Getting up close with the Nomad, Augrer makes another swing with his hammer, a faint light suffusing his form.