Clapping the half-orc on the shoulder, the tall, tanned warrior agrees. "Indeed. May your coffers every increase in our absence. We shall gladly take your kind offer," smiles Amed, hand outstretched.
Nicenzia thinks it over for a moment. "I will accept that you own us a fevor for another time as suitable payment. Hope the mine helps you get back on your feet again and get some new furnitures."
For a moment he looked as if he had been slapped. But then he chuckled and shook his head.
"I certainly hope if does as well. Thank you for all you have done. Really I appreciate what you have done and wish I could more at the moment."
Nicenzia barely got a hold on her share of the gold before being dragged away by Swen. She can't stop smiling as she hears her laughter. "I'd love to but please be careful with the arm. I need both to carry all the stuff we are going to buy, where do you want to go look for first? I could kinda use a trip to the bathhouse after our desertwandering." she says with a smile.
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Swen loosens her grip on Nicenzia's arm and instead slips her arm under the dhampir's. She looks about the plaza, not really sure where to go, and notices the two of them are attracting some strange looks from the passersby. She also notices most of the people are dressed in immaculate white and gold robes with pristinely white gloves. Swen then takes a look at herself and Nicenzia in their dusty black garb.
"Right... Let's get cleaned up first. We need to look our best if we're gonna get a sweet deal. So... Where's the bathhouse?"
You know Swen that there really is only two bathhouses in Macridi at the moment. One is oh so cleverly named "The Long house." It mostly caters to the lumber workers, traveling merchants, or other common folk.
The long house has four community baths and six private bath rooms for use.
The other option is on the far side of town where the more wealthy folk live. "The Golden Candle" is not just a bathhouse, it serves, teas, has a book selection and often decent ministrels. Its a place of reflection and relaxation. But you are sure the price reflects it.
The Long house is more like a classic roman spa style where is the Golden Candle is more like a more modern day spa retreat sort of thing.
I plan to be fitted for a breastplate of masterwork quality. Who else will buy new armor?
There are a couple of options Aurelain. You could order one from a merchant house that deals in things simular to that, You could check the Smithy in town, or you could head back to the compound and see what the keep's inhouse Smith could do for you.
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Swen explains their options to Nicenzia, “Sounds like we’re gonna go up against orcs and hobgoblins and whatnot, might as well live it up like big shots at the ritzy place, huh? I mean, life is short in the mercenary business. And don’t worry, I think I can get us in.”
With that, Swen looks about the square and finds the most prestigious looking person around. She concentrates and shifts her form to match theirs, with a few minor details different.
Nicenzia gives Swen's arm a squeze. "Oh I always wanted to go to the fancy house and annoy the rich folks with my mere pressence in thier bathhouse. But if we don't have the coins a private room at the long house and our own bottle of Red would be a decent alternative. As long as the company is good take both, but let's check in on the fancy place first." she says with a grin just wide enough to show the sharp canines.
Aurelain heads back to the compound to check on armor. If he is going to spend hard earned gold he wants to give his fellows a shot at them first. Finding the right place he smiles at the smith and says I need good armor and can pay good gold. I am taking something masterwork of medium weight. What can you put me in in a week?
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Swen leads the way to the Golden Candle, and upon entering, she holds herself straight and approaches the first clerk she can find. Waving her hand near her face, she begins her charade, “I do declare... the heat in this town. Young sire, my handmaid and I do demand your services at once. I was told this is the finest establishment in all Macridi...” she frowns and looks about the lobby, then gestures dismissively at their surroundings, as if it’s all quite beneath her. “...As if that’s some sort of accomplishment. However, we have traveled far and are fresh from the road. What services can you offer young man?”
As funny as it seems Nicenzia joins in on the charade. "Mistress are you sure I deserve to be here? It seems like a place where others than me will wash you down. Not to say I don't mind doing it, I am ypur humble servant after all." she says while keep looking down on the her feets. God I hated doing this in my time, but it's useful since Swen wants to bluff her way in.
Bored, Amed wanders the streets, until he returns to the compound and across Aurelain haggling the price of his new breastplate.
"Aurelain, here you are!" Amed Alsaakhib-Alraed exclaimed as he entered the shop. "Say? Does this place sharpen swords?"
There was an old dwarf with only the smallest smatterings of red in his grey hair there sitting atop a barrel his hands working with an almost comically small pair of pliers. It seemed he was working with some sort of metal catch to hold a gem. Behind him you could hear the sound of heavy hammer on metal again and again. Another Dwarf,coppery read hair and beard pulled back behind him was steadily working hammer on what appeared to be an axe head. A young gnome pumped bellows.
"Ay oiy there, one of the new bloods eh? Welcome welcome. Always good to see a fresh face looking to spend coin. Do you have a work order from Sir Colewin or is this a personal peice? I know he like to give em out once you new bloods prove your mettle."
He paused as Amed walked up and he grinned setting aside what he was working on.
"Of course Have ye need of your blade today? I do have a few things already in queue. But we should have it ready by mornin' for ye if you dont mind waiting on it."
He paused once more sizing you both up.
"I reckon i've seen you both before, but not recently. Been on your first mission already eh? Tell you what, when you get your chit's from the boss just bring em here and I'll redeem them, if not well consider it an advance."
He motioned for them to follow them heading into a small room set beside the forge. It was impressive the size and thickness of the wooden door, and the dwarf rummaged under a table and slowly pulled out a relatively large chest. He took a moment catching his breath before he hoisted it up and set it on the table there with a heavy thud and a grunt of exertion.
"Armor and weapons can be made of different materials, I've got some interesting ores here that I can smelt into your armor to give it different special qualities. The first ore is on your boss, let me tell ye what we have about then eh?"
He paused and pulled out several bars of ore.
"This here is Aszite. Despite being this pretty blue color, the metal when worked into armor sort of...eh it absorbs light making ye a bit harder to notice."
I've got a few bars left of whats commonly called Dreamstone, This here crystal (its a pale green) smelts into the metal and provides interference with magics that'll muddle your mind.
Druchite is often found with Aszite, and while that ore seems to absorb light, druchite reflects darkness making it hard to judge exactly where you are. (its a purplish black ore)
I have bars of frost and fire forged steel, that'll help absorb those two nasty temperatures, a couple of bars of Noqual left, That's pretty popular here at least, something in the metal disrupts dark spells that necromancers seem to favor.
Lastly I have a few bars of that elven stuff... Sunsilver they call it. Makes metal so bright you can almost blind opponents by just moving about."
He began raising a shaggy eyebrow at Aurelain.
Swen leads the way to the Golden Candle, and upon entering, she holds herself straight and approaches the first clerk she can find. Waving her hand near her face, she begins her charade, “I do declare... the heat in this town. Young sire, my handmaid and I do demand your services at once. I was told this is the finest establishment in all Macridi...” she frowns and looks about the lobby, then gestures dismissively at their surroundings, as if it’s all quite beneath her. “...As if that’s some sort of accomplishment. However, we have traveled far and are fresh from the road. What services can you offer young man?”
The room you entered was of a decent size, larger than your modest room back at the compound at least. The sounds of a harpist playing from somewhere deeper within the establishment wafted through the air as did the scent of a flower... jasmine. The attendant behind a dark wooden standing desk cleared her throat and smiled brightly. Her honey colored hair was cut short highlighting her half rounded ears.
It was clear she didnt take offense to being called a male, after all she had an androginous glow about her.
"Do you have an appointment miss? We do have rooms availible this afternoon nonetheless."
She paused and reached under the desk and pulled out a small ledger.
"Our services range from an exquisate grooming procedere to the ultimate luxiorious experience.
Starting at a cost of 1 gold 5 silver a bath in the finest oils is followed up by our personal attendants cleaning and oiling your hair in the most up to date styles along with the trimming of your nails.
For those seeking a more enriching experiance our hot mineral and mud baths start at 2 gold. Our specialized mixtures rejuvinate your skin and leave you feeling refreshed. It also includes the standard grooming afterwards.
We have 2 of the finest Masseuse to be found outside of Kerse or there is Master Alvianer's hot stone massage.
A package consisting of all our services costs 7 gold. We do offer hair treatments and special packages but those require an appointment to be set up to not interfere with other duties.
She offered. From the sparkle in her eyes it was clear that while did believe you were a lady of means from your attire and handmaiden that she wasnt fully buying into your rich woman from afar routine. Though it didnt appear she was worried about that either.
AsSwen and Nicenzia ran off to...wherever, and Aurelain & Amed wandered off to spend their money, Ramona is left to her own devices. Debating what she wanted to do first, a bath definitely sounded inviting after the time they'd spent on the road, but so did a drink for that matter, and at some point, she'd need to buy supplies and do some gunsmithing before they headed back out.
Wandering around for a bit, she decides to start with the drink.
Hmm. Its true we have not checked in with the boss, though we did deliver him a new wizard recruit. I was thinking we should not bother such a busy man but now I am re-thinkig it. I am new to all this. Your wares and craftsmanship are impressive master dwarf but perhaps I should check in with him before I bother you further. Were I simply able to pick I'd be delighted with a breastplate of the dreamstone. Does it enchant well? And what of the cost of such a thing?
After a little more dissuccion with the smith Aurelain will go and seek out Colewin Binderbook.
After a little more dissuccion with the smith Aurelain will go and seek out Colewin Binderbook.
"Whoawhoawhoawhao!", exclaimed the magus. "I'm sure talking the properties of a new breastplate can wait, Aurelain!"
Amed then rests his hand on the half-orc's shoulder. "It has occurred to me that as the only other male on Team Grey, it is important to build a strong bond of camaraderie and brotherhood. Therefore, I feel we should, as a new formed brotherhood, find a nice seedy bar, have many drinks, toasting Cayden Cailean and our new fortunes; and if Desna is with us, find a couple ladies willing to make horrible life choices! What do you say, Aurelain? Let us drink to Team Grey and whatever else you wish to toast!"
A drink would be a fine thing Amed, but we are already back in our compound. Let us report in. It might just be expected and there was the mention of a possible reward to boot, no? Lets not have our reward handed out to the wrong persons. Can't have that now can we. Aurelain, arm around Amed, heads for where he thinks Colewin might be.
Amed sighs and sulks as he is lead away by Aurelain.
AsSwen and Nicenzia ran off to...wherever, and Aurelain & Amed wandered off to spend their money, Ramona is left to her own devices. Debating what she wanted to do first, a bath definitely sounded inviting after the time they'd spent on the road, but so did a drink for that matter, and at some point, she'd need to buy supplies and do some gunsmithing before they headed back out.
Wandering around for a bit, she decides to start with the drink.
The district in which you found yourself in after having left the almost bankrupt merchant lord certainly seemed ... too uptight to enjoy a drink...so you head east more torwards the riverdock district. The sounds of laughter echoing from a tall three story building wafted out of the doorway as a couple of men left it one of them laughing and slapping the back of the other.
The backslappee had a troubled look on his face and he shot a scowl to his friend whom seemed to be laughing a little at his friend misfortune. Closer inspection to the building saw a sign hanging down from above the door.
"The River's Mint"
Inside you could hear what appeared to be a banjo and piano playing as someone started to sing, though you couldnt make out the words. Entering the building you could see a small stage where a woman sang on a small stage beside two gentlemen playing the aforementioned intraments. There were a half dozen round tables about the room five of them circular and filled with mostly men playing cards coin smattered about the tables. The sixth table appeared to be some sort of dicing game. An older matronly looking woman just losing the battle with time to keep an hourglass shape stood behind the bar on a stool overlooking the place while a skinny middle aged fellow with the most ridiculous gnome like mustache you had ever seen hustled behind the bar rearranging a few bottles along the back shelf.
"Evening, this looks about as good a place as any to wet my whistle." Ramona says with a smile as she saunters up to the bar.
As well as any good handmaiden asks the way to the to the baths and slips her arm under Swen's to guide her to the baths. "What kind of bathoil would you perfer to use today if available? I'll make sure to clean ypu thoroughly." she asks with a smile.
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Swen glances over at Nicenzia, a smirk on her face, but then she fumbles her reply. She's not sure how serious the dhampir is being, and she's not sure how she feels about that. Furthermore, she's never had a fancy oil bath before, and she doesn't know what a proper answer would be.
But she remembers her ploy, and straightening her back and lifting her chin in a most snooty way, she replies, "We'll see what this place has to offer. I usually trust you to make these sorts of things, don't I? I simply don't have the time to bother with decisions."
"Oh I know just the oil to choose for you, of they have it you'll smell like a summerbreze after the bath." she says moving a little closer to whisper. "I saw your look of uncertainty, I will not touch you without premission if you feel uncomfrotable about it. It was just for the ruse, I don't know you that well to hint at anything els... yet." she says with her useal smile.
A drink would be a fine thing Amed, but we are already back in our compound. Let us report in. It might just be expected and there was the mention of a possible reward to boot, no? Lets not have our reward handed out to the wrong persons. Can't have that now can we. Aurelain, arm around Amed, heads for where he thinks Colewin might be.
Finding the paladin wasnt too hard one of the other younger members of the shields, an elven fellow with a bow whose name you couldnt recall nodded up torwards where his office was.
"Since reports have been flooding in about hobgoblins he's been in his study. He hasnt left it but for a few moments it would seem."
He offered the pair before he went back to fletching arrows with some crimson colored feathers.
Inside the paladins spacious office they could see their boss standing atop a stool one hand placed behind his back the other held up in front of his mouth as he muttered at a map of Druma. There were a half dozen tiny scraps of what looked like cloth dotted across the map held up with needles.
Hearing the door open he glanced your direction and made a motion to a couple of sears sitting across from his desk while still studying the map. After a moments more studying he gave a simple "bah" and hoped off the stool moving to the chair behind his desk.
"I recieved a note from Allura, it seems your first mission went well enough, though talk of a cursed necklace in play. I actually already got a bit of a report from Tush and her probably resignation. A shame, she held promise."
He sighed for a moment at that thought.
"How can I help you gentlemen?"
He asked sipping from a cup of lukewarm tea.
"Evening, this looks about as good a place as any to wet my whistle." Ramona says with a smile as she saunters up to the bar.
"Indeed it is M'am. Why this is the best new establishment in town to cater to all your legal vices. I don't recognize you, I have a thing for faces First round is on me. I'm Tessalane Faircoin what can the The River's Mint do for you."
As she hopped off the stool and onto the floor you realized that the woman was not as tall as she seemed. In fact the very tall halfling woman vanished behind the bar just for a moment before she popped back up into view clearly on another step stool in front of you. After a moment of studying you Ramona she smiled.
"Hank, get me a strap of the Herringbone whiskey. And one for our new friend here."
She leaned over and yelled to the skinny fellow who nodded his head and reached for a bottle on the upper most shelf.
"You look like a whiskey sort of girl. Am i right?"
She began taking the two glasses and sliding one in front of you Ramona.
"Oh I know just the oil to choose for you, of they have it you'll smell like a summerbreze after the bath." she says moving a little closer to whisper. "I saw your look of uncertainty, I will not touch you without premission if you feel uncomfrotable about it. It was just for the ruse, I don't know you that well to hint at anything els... yet." she says with her useal smile.
You were taken to a large room that had two large tubs already half filled with hot steamy water. The wooden floor of the room was smooth and a young girl on the cusp of womanhood hurried forward with two baskets to place your clothes in. Another woman of clear mixed but elven blood bowed from off to the side.
"Do you have a preference in scents? For relaxation i recomend the Zulba oil. For a refreshing change the Watermint treatment is wonderful. Would you be requiring one of our hairdressers to update your hair arrangements ladies?"
She asked with a smile.
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Swen instinctually reaches up to touch her pigtails, only to remember they aren't currently there in this form. "Ehem... I should say we are due for some relaxation. The zulba oil it is." Without further hesitation, she disrobes and steps into the water. Almost instantly, all closely gaurded, tightly held tension in her body melts away as she sinks beneath the water.
"Ahhhh... I could get used to this!"
"I would like that one aswell, I wouldn't mind the hairdresser later. They can look through my hair for split ends, we come from a rather long treck through the desert and not sure how much punishment my hair took on that trip." Nicenzia says before following Swen's example undressing and moving towards the bathtubs with an unnaturally fluid grace clearly comfortable about showing her body forth to the other women.
Stepping up into the tub she showly lowers herself down adjusting to the temperature without shocking her body of the sudden heat. "Ahhh. I couldn't agree more, I've missed a good long soak in a tub."
"Evening, this looks about as good a place as any to wet my whistle." Ramona says with a smile as she saunters up to the bar."Indeed it is M'am. Why this is the best new establishment in town to cater to all your legal vices. I don't recognize you, I have a thing for faces First round is on me. I'm Tessalane Faircoin what can the The River's Mint do for you."
As she hopped off the stool and onto the floor you realized that the woman was not as tall as she seemed. In fact the very tall halfling woman vanished behind the bar just for a moment before she popped back up into view clearly on another step stool in front of you. After a moment of studying you Ramona she smiled.
"Hank, get me a strap of the Herringbone whiskey. And one for our new friend here."
She leaned over and yelled to the skinny fellow who nodded his head and reached for a bottle on the upper most shelf.
"You look like a whiskey sort of girl. Am i right?"
She began taking the two glasses and sliding one in front of you Ramona.
"That I am!" Ramona replies with a smile, reaching for the glass as she sits. "A pleasure to meet you Tessalane, I'm Ramona Blackhawk." she says raising her glass to klink with Tessalane.
The paladin sighed for a moment at that thought.
"How can I help you gentlemen?"
He asked sipping from a cup of lukewarm tea.
Amed looks to a silent half-orc and rolls his eyes. The magus then cleared his throat. "Well, Aurelain wanted us to check in with you. And, I agree, it is a shame that fine-looking gnome will no longer be among our number". Amed paused for effect, then continued. "So..if there is nothing else today, Aurelain and I would like our wage, so to booster the local economy." Amed gave a short bow to complete his thought.
Yes sir. We did think it proper to check in with you before we go out for a bit of well earned revelry. I believe you have heard the relevant details but we are here in case you have questions. I was particularly pleased that we could recruit you a new caster. And I had a mind to upgrade my armor. When I checked with the Silver Shields' smith he mentioned the possibility of a voucher or work order from yourself. I do not mean to assume but before I spend nearly all of my coin to buy the best I can afford, it seemed, reasonable to investigate the smith's statement. Aurelain looks a bit awkward as he wants for a response.
Time seems to slow as another young woman, human this time came into the room. The requested oil was entered into your bath and at the appropiate time the workers washed your backs and massaged oils into your hair. It was more relaxing than you could have imagined possible.
As the baths cooled the first time additional heated water was brought in, after that however large fluffy cotton robes and towels were brought in along with two stools.
"When you are ready for your hair treatment please rise, dry yourself and take a seat on the stool."
The half elven woman began pulling out a few vials of aromatic oils along with a pearl comb and a small sharp looking pair of scissors.
"That I am!" Ramona replies with a smile, reaching for the glass as she sits. "A pleasure to meet you Tessalane, I'm Ramona Blackhawk." she says raising her glass to klink with Tessalane.
With a wide grin the halfling woman reached her glass across the bar and clinked it to yours then proceeded to down the glass quickly. The whiskey went down smoothly lighting a little fire down your throat and belly.Damn it was good though. It held a good blend of the wooden cask it was aged in and held a hint of caramel.
"Pardon me for asking miss Blackhawk, what line of work are you in?"
She began making conversation only slightly leaning to look behind you for a moment as a loud man began laughing while others groaned at one of the card tables.
"I work for the Silver Shields. Missions vary bit, doin' good for the most part." Ramona replies with a warm smile. "Makes the winding down part all the better."
The gunslinger follows Tessalane's eyes, glancing back over her shoulder.
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Swen is practically drooling by the time her bath ends and the hair stylist steps in. She's so relaxed, in fact, that she forgets that her shape-shifting ability has lapsed. The hair-stylist will find, in place of the middle-aged, blonde-haired and blue-eyed, affluent woman who entered into the spa, is a much younger, black-haired, grey-skinned maiden with luminescent yellow-green eyes.
Swen does as instructed, and as she sits, slurs, "Do yer worst."
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Nicenzia enjoys the bath as long as possible, only getting out once the water starts to cool down for the second time. Before getting out she quickly puts her entire body under the water and comes up splashing her hair around. She leaves the tub slowly drying herself enjoying the towel's softness on her skin, before half donning one of the ropes not bothering to tie it up, and getting over to the hairdresser and taking a seat. "I like my hair long and flowing, but are open to suggestions from the expert." She says to the stylist and turns to Swen. "I tols you, you would enjoy this. Let's make this our end of missions thing." she says smiling at her friend.
Amed and Aurelain
"Master Stoneshield's cousin is always looking to earn coin, even in times of potential trouble. Considering my patron its a respectible trait."
The halfling began with a slight chuckle as he reached into his desk drawer and pulled out a set of parchments that for the most part already looked as if someone had worked on them.
"You boys, did well. I would like you to consider these...recruitment gifts for a job well done. And enticement to stay for a long spell. We could use you in the shields for months and years to come."
He began as he finished filling out a few things on the parchments, mainly his signature and a quick imprint of the seal on his ring on fresh wax dripped on the paperwork.
"Until we get either another work request or more information on those hobgoblins considered yourselves on free time."
He added with a smile handing you the papers and a small pouch filled with coin.
"I work for the Silver Shields. Missions vary bit, doin' good for the most part." Ramona replies with a warm smile. "Makes the winding down part all the better."
The gunslinger follows Tessalane's eyes, glancing back over her shoulder.
For a second you saw the halfling womans eyes narrow in an almost predatory gleam when you mentioned the words 'silver shields'. But for so quick a moment it was almost like you imagined it. Or perhaps it was the sudden ruckus at the table. The one man was laughing until one of the others screeched out. "whats that up your sleeve? You Dirty cheat!" The loser bellowed and you saw from the corner of your eye a flash of steel as a man drew out a dagger.
With the music floating in from somewhere deeper withing the bath house both girls went to work, for the next half hour or so your scalps were excellently massaged, oils were added, split ends trimmed.
In your acknowledgement of your preferred hairstyle Nicenzia the young human girl kept it simple. Two simple braids starting from the front of your hair were made and then pulled back to meet behind your head forming almost a tiara of hair but keeping the majority of your hair long and free.
You Swen with the permission to go all out on your hair the half woman becomes a flurry of motion. Your hair is pulled back, two large braids forming. She takes those braids and loosely circles them back behind your head. But the way in which she fastens them, using two simple smooth wooden pins has the ends of your hair and braids loosely flaring out behind you almost like a peacocks plumage. The remainder of your hair hangs flowing back about shoulder length. Its was both exquisate and simple at the same time.
Shooting a smile at Amed, Aurelain picks up his chit and explains I hate the idea of being controlled by an enemy so I will choose Dream stone for my armor. You?
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"Well aren't you just stunning?" Swen smirks at Nicenzia after their treatments are all done.
"I'm not too sure about my hair though... It isn't the best for combat... I think I'd rather have yours, all tightly bound like that... but oh well. At least we look good and we feel good, right?"
It feels weird putting her dusty black leathers back on after all that luxury. "I'm gonna need a fancy dress I think. Too bad Tush left us. She woulda liked this, no? So, what's next? Practically speaking, I'd like some better armor than this old stuff. You know, I kinda like staying alive. Maybe a better blade too, we'll see. How 'bout you? What do you need for all your magic and stuff?"
"I'm afraid you're floor's about to get blood on it luv." Ramona comments, calmly resting her hand on her pistol.
"You look very pretty with that hair, it looks very you. I think you would look strange with my hair style." Nicenzia says admiring the work of the stylist on both of them.
"I'm sure she would have loved it, just taking her dress shopping with have been fun. On the more practical side perhaps we should return to report in and see if you can ask for someone to work a new armor for you from one of the shield's supporters. As for me I need wands, magical jewelry or clothes, perhaps a metamagic rod, but those are all expensive so I'll have to say up for now." She says smiling.