Options:
- Sleep/Chill until dinner
- Relax in forest hotsprings
- Relax in cloud hotsprings
- Go shopping
- Do things that I wouldn't have thought about
Let's do a little shopping first so we can counter that flying barge.
Furnok (and other interested parties) open the door that says "Ostentatious Oddities". Inside, they see a room with a red carpet laid out in front of them. The room is made of stone, with the floor being marble, and the walls are a textured slate. On the right hand side is a fireplace with a crackling flame, while the left holds a tapestry depicting a cozy cottage surrounded by woodlands. The carpet goes straight ahead, where three creatures stand at attention. Two of them are bipedal dragon-ish creatures, who stand about 6 feet tall. They do not have wings, but their faces and bodies look very draconic. Both of them are in full-plate armour, and wield metal longspears. They stand on either side of the red carpet as it moves into a hallway. Also near the dragon creatures is a little blue Kobold, dressed in a black and white courtier's outfit, where the black overcoat extends into a little cape. He has a tiny little golden chain coming from his coat pocket. The Kobold says "Welcome customers, Mr. Furnok and company. I am Kib, and I shall be your guide within the mansion. If you would please follow me. Master Oziharad has many generous offers to interest you."
The two Dragon creatures step aside and stand at ease.
Evening. Furnok follows the kobold in.We've been having trouble with a hag who uses a flying barge to drop fire on us, if you have anything that can say, allow us to fly up or reach her, that would be very helpful.
Wabbit relaxes in the Forest Springs with Cleo
Kemras goes to investigate the area, just poking around and seeing what he can learn, if anything, about their mysterious savior.
The Kobold replies "Yes sir. Most certainly, sir. I can take you to the market, where Master Oziharad can assist you?"
As the Kobold Kib walks down the red carpet, Kemras notices him take out a slip of paper. The writing is in Draconic, but that doesn't stop Kemras. What he can read over the Kobold's shoulder is a script for welcoming customers and showing them what the store offers. Kib is frantically trying to remember the script before he has to describe the next sections.
Kib leads the small group to a hallway, which contains a singular door made of brass. A series of runes are displayed on the wall to the side, each of which is written in Draconic. Kib says "Sirs. I would like to explain to you several services that may be of interest, each of which is offered in a different room. The primary service is of course the marketplace, where you can trade with Master Oziharad for magic items of many different rarities. It is most recommended when one wishes to buy something specific, or would like to trade magic items that are in your possession. In the marketplace, Master Oziharad also offers certain spellcasting services if that is of interest to you."
"Next we have the Minor Hoards, which are assorted collections of minor magical items centered around a theme. Such themes can be weapons, armour, potions, clothing, and more, all of which are magical in nature. These items are sold in bulk in order to significantly lower their price. Often, customers are unable or uninterested in the entire hoard, and so pool their money together to purchase, then divvy up the hoard. Such hoards will be for sale tomorrow, and we are expecting no less than six guests who may wish to collaborate with you. However, because Master Oziharad enjoys spicing things up, he does not reveal what the items are before the purchase. Instead, he allows customers to purchase time to examine the hoard before their sale. If there is something within that the customer wants to identify and later purchase, they can pool their money with other customers to acquire the hoard. You can purchase time to examine the hoards today, if sirs wish."
"The last service that I recommend would be the Goblin Vaults. The Goblin Vaults are hand-made dungeons that contain all sorts of items, both magical and mundane in nature, to be acquired with a test of skill at arms. Most denizens of the dungeons are constructs and traps, however we do hire combattants to participate and defend the vaults. Within the Vaults, all forms of damage are magically changed to be non-lethal. We are a civilized establishment, and therefore don't ask contestants to risk their lives, nor the lives of the defenders. It is simply good fun, and is a great way to improve one's wealth through strength and cunning. Master Oziharad is most generous, and includes a prize at the end of the vault worth ten times the entrance fee. In addition, you may keep all treasure found within the vaults."
"Thank you for listening, sirs. May I take you to the marketplace now, or perhaps I managed to entice you with the other offers?"
Those sounds like mighty interesting offers, but right now we are interested in the marketplace. Have something specific in mind.
"Of course, sir. Right this way please."
Kib the kobold uses the knocker on the brass door and says in Draconic "Heya Kerp, canya open to the marketplace?"
A voice from the door knocker responds "What's the password?"
"Taco Toildays" Kib answers with hope in his eyes
The brass door opens up, revealing a large room with hardwood floors, white crowned walls with moving artwork, and golden chandeliers dangling from the high ceiling. Along the walls are tons of wares displayed in cases or on tables. In the center of the room is a long oak table with snacks and beverages, and several unseen servants, dressed similar to Kib, glide around and serve guests. A quartet of string and wind musicians, all human, play a classical piece. Walking around and dealing is Oziharad himself, who is followed by two Kobolds at all times. Two draconic guards like before stand at attention at the door, while another patrols.
There are other guests browsing the wares and eating delicacies. There's a tall woman with a complexion of literal bronze and eyes of emerald who is looking at some construct manuals. A Dwarven woman clad in chainmail with a sword at her side is eating over the table. A Chelish man wearing a blue doublet is looking at a collection of horseshoes. A young Kelish man in white robes is speaking with Oziharad. And a... treasure chest... is wheeling itself across the floor... with long... thin arms.
Kib says to Furnok "Feel free to browse to your heart's content sir, but Master Oziharad may have something in the back if you ask him for it. I'll be right here if you need anything."
Furnok starts looking over items that can allow flight while Bacon noms some treats.
- Bracers of the Roshi
A set of Mithril Bracers studded with tiny diamonds. Designed to protect you from incoming attacks. Can be used by anyone, but not advisable while holding a shield.
- Ring of Adaptive Energy Resistance
A golden band set with small gemstones in a cross formation. A honey brown Agate, a light-blue Cerussite, an Amethyst, and a Citrine. The wearer taps three times on one of these gemstones (as a standard action), which makes it glow.
- Greater Potion of Regeneration
A large flask of thick glass contains a red liquid, which sparkles with gold, and even glows in the dark. Its stopper has a symbol of the sun on it. Drinking this large potion takes awhile, but lets the imbiber heal and regenerate broken or missing parts of their body.
- Magically Enhanced Plate Mail with Reactive Protection
This suit of Plate Mail looks like it was sized for a Dwarf, but there's a sign that says "free resizing upon purchase". It has a blocky look to it, but there's no doubt its incredibly durable. Its visor is reinforced to protect against arrow fire, and the pauldrons are large enough to reliably protect the neck.
- Belt of Dwarven Resilience
A thick leather belt that's twice as heavy as expected. It has a buckle made of brass that resembles a Dwarven face, with a helmet and braided beard. Its eyes are made of diamonds. It gives the wearer the stoutness of a Dwarf (and enhances that of a Dwarf wearing it), and protects the wearer from poisons.
- Heavy Shield from the City of Brass
This shield looks to be made of brass and is warm to the touch. Apparently, it was bought from a city within the elemental plane of fire. It protects the wearer against certain environmental effects, and against both hot and cold.
- Noqual Lamellar, made by the Dwarven CrystalSmith clan
Made from a crystalline, pale-green material, and held together with forest green leather and silver-plated steel. It's surprisingly light and relatively flexible. It does look like its a little banged up from weapons chipping into the crystal.
- Soulsteel Dagger of Last Rites
This dagger was apparently purchased from a realm known as the Boneyard. The blade looks like it was made of ivory, but with a metallic sheen. There's no sign of wear or tear on it at all. Its very effective against the undead, including ghosts, and it protects the wearer should they die so that they can be revived more easily (and for cheaper).
- Divine Slaying Arrow
A singular arrow made of iron, black wood, and black/white feathers. It's designed to be used by a priestly archer, and can veer towards its target with the ability to kill it and destroy the remains.
- Darkwood Pike of Rapid Bracing
This enormous spear has a reach of 15 feet. It's made of Darkwood to make it light, and features a steel spear tip and crossguard. There's a silver engraving of an elk on one of the langets. It helps the wielder quickly brace the pike against charging foes, and makes readjusting the reach of the weapon more convenient.
- Ashava's Silk Ribbon of Moondancing
Attached to a steel rod is a long length of silvery silk ribbon. It does not look like a weapon at all, rather something you might give a young teen to dance with. It's supposed to turn into a weapon for someone skilled at dancing, and becomes even more formidable under a full moon.
- Greater Potion of Regeneration
A large flask of thick glass contains a red liquid, which sparkles with gold, and even glows in the dark. Its stopper has a symbol of the sun on it. Drinking this large potion takes awhile, but lets the imbiber heal and regenerate broken or missing parts of their body.
- Inhaled Potion of the Brass Dragon's Breath
Concentrated into a vial, the gas inside is a deep red colour that swirls like a vortex. There's a label that read "warning, inhaling does cause minor damage to one's lungs if they are not protected against fire." The potion is meant to allow the imbiber to breathe out fire as if they were a dragon. Apparently it can incinerate enemies and needs to be used with caution.
- Weapon Oil of Branding
The liquid in this vial looks like lava and has some heat to it.
Pouring the oil over a weapon imbues it with magic. It curses the next creature it hits with a magical brand that makes it easier to track.
- Pitcher of Goodberry Wine
Stored within a literal pitcher plant, this royal purple liquid is about 4 pints. Apparently it makes for a great gift for fey and azatas, as well as druids. It has healing properties, a feeling of joy, and has similar alcohol content to most elven wines.
- Elixir of the Fox
There's a warning that the elixir has the alcohol content of rum, and it is not recommended to drink like a potion of healing. The elixir container is ceramic, with little paintings of foxes playing, hunting, and snoozing. The liquid looks like coffee that has cream in it.
Drinking the elixir bestows various physical traits of a fox, though it does not change the imbiber's form. The imbiber can expect quicker movement, and in most cases better night vision and smelling abilities. It also gives the imbiber some trickster magic that's useful in a variety of situations.
- Poisonous Gas Bomb
This ceramic flask is painted dark green, with images of skeletons chocking to death.
Breaking the flask results in a cloud of poison that rapidly destroys creatures from the inside out. The creatures do not need to inhale the gas for it to still be effective.
- Elixir of the Quick-Moving, Divine Lizard
There's a warning that the elixir has the alcohol content of fortified wine, and is recommended not to drink like a potion of healing.
The liquid inside this glass flask naturally separates between a thick gold on the top, and a thin blue on the bottom. It lets the imbiber run on water for a long period of time.
- Hiker's Walking Stick
A worn-looking walking stick roughly shoulder height. It has little engravings of forest animals. It gives the user extra stability when traversing the wilds, and some protection magic should they stumble into trouble.
- Clockwork Alarm Clock that Works like Clockwork
An intricate clockwork contraption can quickly wake creatures, check for crooks, and keep constant course of conflicting cosmos.
- Witch's Handy Broom
More utilitarian than the Broom of Flying, and more affordable too. It looks like a normal whicker broom.
- Mentor's Ring, the Theologian
This intricate golden ring bears all sorts of religious iconography. It teaches the wearer all sorts of things from religion, including divine weapon use, languages, skills, and traits.
The hotspring door to the left has a small washing area, before opening up to the hotsprings proper. The door opens to reveal a natural clearing in an old growth forest, under a moonlit sky with more stars than anyone had ever seen. The hotsprings have a short wall for splashes, but most of the water is just below ground level. Bathers can lean back and watch all sorts of animals move through the forest, as if they had no knowledge the cottage and springs were even there. Whenever an animal gets close, they're gently turned away, like they're interested in something away from the springs.
Oddly enough, many of the animals are playing with each other, when they normally would not. Owls play games of tag with Raccoons, Wolves and Crows seem to be howling/cawing at each other, and Deer seem completely unconcerned by the presence of a Cave Bear nearby.
Hmm..That Witch Broom looks useful for getting us up to the flying boat. How much in coins or trade?
Oziharad smiles when Furnok comes over and points out the Witch Broom. "Ah, that makes sense. If I may be so bold Mr. Furnok, and recognize that I wouldn't make as much money, would you prefer if I provided you with a scroll of Dimension Door for you and your party? No need to buy something permanently for a temporary issue, right? I could send you and five others. That would come out to three thousand, which is a little less than a third of that broom's price."
Hmm..That indeed sounds like a deal. Kemaras, would you be able to use the scroll?
Well it looks like that will help us up, but we'll need to get down as well. Hmmm..unless we can figure out the barge. Perhaps we can hire the services of someone to use the scroll to magic us up to the barge?
"Hmmmmmm..." Oziharad thinks for a second to consider, but quickly realizes and calls out
"Ms. Terrah, perhaps we could make a deal for your arcane services?"
The Aasimar woman of bronze skin and emerald eyes turns around, carrying a tightly bound tome. Her pupil-less eyes makes it difficult to tell where she is looking.
Oziharad says "Mr. Furnok, may I introduce Ms. Terrah, from the Thanelands North of Varisia. Ms. Terrah, this is Furnok from Varisia. He and his companions are trying to eliminate a Night Hag, but she has a flying barge that they cannot reach. Given your understanding of arcane magic, would you be willing to lend them your services? I have offered Furnok a scroll of dimension door, but none in his group are capable of casting it. If you were to aid them, I would be willing to reduce the price of that Clockwork manual."
Terrah responds "Well met, Furnok. Why do you seek to slay a Night Hag? They are very dangerous creatures."
Greetings. Well we were hired to investigate the loss of contact with the base of operations of some rangers on my world. Checking it out, we found that it was over run by ogres who killed the rangers and were lead by a night hag who used a flying barge to drop explosives on us. It has been terribly tough trying to combat her forces so if we can get up to the barge, we can deal with her.
Terrah grins when Furnok mentions his "world", but she listens to his explanation. "I'll never say no to helping kill a Night Hag. It sounds like she's got quite the scheme if she's got a family of Ogres working for her. Do you know if she has a coven, or perhaps a leader above her?"
Terrah explains that she's an arcane caster, a lore-focused bard. She studies Lorestones throughout the Lands of the Linnorm Kings, which tell of ancient stories and spells that she eventually learns to tell or cast. She enjoys building things, and seeks to start crafting more elaborate constructs. If she can help defeat the Night Hag, she could stay in Varisia and finally visit the Golemworks in Magnimar. If asked about her heritage, she doesn't really know any details.
Terrah also offers some knowledge about Night Hags, which might help Furnok and his companions prepare for the fight.
- Lots of mind-affecting abilities
- Ability to disturb one's sleep, or observe through dreams
- Can swap between Material and Ethereal realms very easily, and likely has allies hiding in the ethereal.
- Probably won't ever want to fight in hand-to-hand
- Outsider, extraplanar, from the realm of Abaddon
No idea about leaders or a coven, we have just seen glimpses of her when she uses her magic on us.
"Alright. I'll prepare my constructs for a fight, and knock on your door at Varisian dawn? You're one of the ones staying in the cottage, yes?"
Terrah also adds "Oh and one more thing, Furnok. I don't mean to be impersonal, but I think it should be mentioned that while I'll do my best to support you, your mission isn't the barge I want to die on. I mean no offense."
Oziharad has already moved on to speaking with other customers, but is available for questions and trades. One thing he will make note of is that he's interested in trading the magic items found in the black arrows fort.
A +1 composite (+3) longbow, with a simple engraving of a black arrow (Medium)
A +1 billhook (Medium), with a simple engraving of a black arrow
A +1 composite (+3) longbow, with a simple engraving of a black arrow
A +1 defiant (Giants) chain shirt, with a simple engraving of a black arrow
A pair of boots of friendly terrain (mountains), with a simple engraving of a black arrow
A +1 rapier, with a simple engraving of a black arrow
A +1 longspear, with a simple engraving of a black arrow
A +1 composite (+0) longbow, with a simple engraving of a black arrow
A +1 heavy spiked shield, with a simple engraving of a black arrow
He'll also trade for any magic items you guys have on your character sheets. You talk about not having wealth, but I don't think you're correct.
Oziharad won't give gold for these items, instead he'll offer magic items of similar price. Of course, he'll try to trade upwards, just like you.
No offense taken. Transport is all I ask.
Anyone want to buy something?
Anyone want to buy something?
Furnok trades for the bracers.