"Try as best ya might, lass. I can't wear metal, and..." he shakes his hide armor, which is still showing a few scars from their battles. "I'd prefer not to be skewered and sent back to Gozreh TOO soon." And with that, the dwarf just smirks.
A small alchemist's shop sits at the back of an ally, a odd looking man sitting behind the counter smiles as they enter, his skin an almost black, and his eyes shine like gemstones.
"Good day. How might I help you?" his voice has a distinctive sound that does not sound like it belongs around here.
This man is a Oread, a child of an extraplanar creature from the Plane of Earth and something native. Judging by his appearance, he is likely of human stock.
His accent indicates he is likely Qadiran
"I'll be back in a little bit..." the dwarf says, clearing his throat again and heading towards the taverns, looking for Maera.
Once he searches out their very...persuasive Captain, he clears his throat, which seems to be becoming his start for conversations. The dwarf is obviously not too comfortable about having to ask this, but he starts anyways.
"So...I'm lookin' to get a bit better armor, but they're givin' me a bit of a time over it...I don't really think, lass, it'd take 'em as long as they're sayin', but I ain't exactly the most persuasive. Was wondrin' if you might have a word with the lass...see if we might could get things goin' a bit faster?"
Maera swallows the last bit of her soup broth, and considers his question.
"Of course. I can try and see if we can come to an arrangement... but if it's a limitation on materials there might be only so much time they can shave off without significant fiscal compensation to acquire it faster." It helped that she was able to provide fresh sharkskin for her gloves, so she adds, "Unless we go out and get the materials ourselves. That might cut the time down a bit."
"Regardless, you tell me what you what to propose, and I'll prettify the words up for you."
Diabolito finally grins. "Well, lass, I wouldn't be much of a striker if I couldn't find something useful." he stretches for a moment and chuckles.
"If we can convince 'em, and we can find it, I'd be willing to organize gathering the materials and maybe I'd even use a bit of magic that I have..." The dwarf looks around and leans down to the Captain, lowering his voice.
"I have the blessing of Gozreh to be able to improve our arms and armor..." He then explains a bit about the magic of Masterwork Transformation, just not wanting it to get out and about.
Amos eyes the... man?... for a moment before saying, Yes, we are in need of charcoal, salt peter, and sulfur, please. Barrels of it, if possible.
Some places it is not wise to carry such so openly. If you were one of us, you would know that. If you wish to talk, come to Sharrowsmith's Exports and ask for The Osprey.
Diabolito leads the way back to the armorer, giving Maera the opportunity to speak and see if things can be sped up, if they can gather materials to do so, etc. The dwarf is at least smart enough to know when to keep his mouth shut.
"Y'see somethin' new ev'ry day," Aramis mutters to Amos, shrugging off her coat as she walks in. Rotgut walks across her shoulder to a shelf, perching and watching. In a more normal tone, Aramis continues, "As me friend 'ere said, we're lookin' ta buy in bulk."
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"Ugh." Cassius thought to himself. Being new to the town he had no idea where that was. He pocketed the note, and moves his compass into his pack.
Taking a moment to look around for an urchin or a runner "Ho, you know directions to Sharrowsmith's Exports?" Cassius asks, tipping a silver piece in exchange.
The shopkeeper recognized Maera as she entered. It was the very same shop she had already put in an order for. Upon them entered, she nods, and then hears out the request.
"Look, you asked for horn. I just don't have horn and I don't know that you can find horn in the quantities that you would need for that lamellar stuff. But, if you give me...three days, I can get together the supplies and such for bone. It should work just the same...If you can throw in some more sharkskin, I'll do rush it at no extra charge. Two hundred and fifty for some of my finest work..."
Directions to the shop are easy enough to find. Upon entering the shop, which is not so large and filled with lamps for the most part, Cassius spots the woman with golden eyes once more. "Seems you responded rather...quickly. I guess my message did not fall upon blind eyes..."
The oread nods, "Well, my people have discovered the compound you are seeking to put together. That said, you seek quite a lot of it. Might I inquire...what are you trying to blow up?" comes a gravelly voice that sounds like rocks rumbling against one another.
"Yer people in Qadira, or yer people an tha plane a' Earth?," Aramis asks, swinging her musket off her back. "At any rate, as ye c'n see, we prefer a rather unique style a' fightin'. An' we expect ta be at sea fer some time. Gotta be prepared an' all." With a sidelong glance at Amos, she adds, "An' if we c'n eventually get some bigger guns, all tha better." She stows her musket again, not wanting to seem too threatening.
"Rawwwk! Bigger guns!" Rotgut agrees, turning one beady eye on the strange man.
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Cassius smiles with a nod at the woman. "Thank you for the warning. While I doubt anyone would have found it a pleasant experience trying to part me from my things. It is wise not to present something to temp them with."
Looking around the small shop Cassius notices that no one else is present. My name is Cassius, it is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance. How may I be of assistance...Miss Osprey?" Cassius finished with a small mock flourish, trying to exude his rakish charm.
Maera smiled slightly, and nods to Diabolito. "That sounds agreeable," she says, knowing that the extra sharkskin they have from the party would go to waste otherwise. "If bone is fine with you, Whiskers."
He nods. "Works for me, as long as it's not metal, Cap'n." the dwarf nods to his Captain and then the lady.
"I appreciate it." Diabolito then looks to Maera. "I think now I could certainly use a drink, if ya're up for it?"
"Please, if you will follow me to the back, I would like to discuss some things with you."
The woman nods, "Alright, Three days, then, and we have a deal. Ma'am, why don't you hold off for a little while on coming back for your gloves, as well. I'll see what I can do!"
The gravelly voice begins chuckling and then he shakes his head, "I have my own supplier. The real question is...how much do you actually want and how often should I plan to see you? If I sell to you today, I suspect that will take all my supply and as such, I will need time to recover..."
The following morning, two of her bedmates had snuck off, but the third, the female from the trio is laying on the bed gently stroking it as she stares at Indrana. "That was most interesting..."
After promising that a crewman will be by this evening with the sharkskin, Maera bids her farewell to the armorers.
"I'm game... although, I can't say I'd be doing much drinkin'," she says with a chuckle, referencing her inability with alcohol. "How have you been doing since... you know," she trails off delicately. "You're not still hurting for that poison, are you?"
He shakes his head, his humor a bit darkened.
"Nah, lass. Only good stuff from here on out. That stuff was vile. Ain't any other way to say it. It was a bad time, and I don't intend to go through it again." Diabolito just stares out at the streets as they walk.
He remains quiet for a few minutes, before turning to his Captain. "I owe you all, for getting me away from that stuff."
Maera shakes her head solemnly. "No, you don't. Of course we'd have your back... but all that sufferin', sweatin', and fightin' - that was you. You got yourself away from it," she insist firmly, "I've known too many that lost their battle with a normal addiction... and you won yours against a supernatural one. That's no small thing."
Amos looks to his captain on that one
When Indrana returns the room, where once had laid a beautiful woman, now curled up in that spot is a beautiful, golden cat that looks up lazily when she enters and lets out a soft mew, before laying it's head back. The eyes look very, very familiar.
Aramis ensures the oread that there will be future orders, and that this could be the beginnings of a beautiful relationship...of explosions.
The oread nods and smiles. "Well, come back in two days and I'll have a few barrels put together for you."
Seeing nothing out of sorts and feeling that this woman is not a threat to him, the golden eyed, dark-skinned woman leads him to the back of the shop, which has a couple of sitting rooms and two sets of sleeping quarters. At the end of the hall, they enter and office and she sits down at the desk and nods to the chair. "Please, sit."
"Rawwwk! Two days!" Rotgut screeches, removing his beak from the shelf and wiggling back onto the captain's shoulder.
"Two days," Aramis agrees, nodding. After shaking on the deal, she heads back outside, glad to be in the open air again. She lifts the collar of her shirt, sniffing it and grimacing. "Gonna be a while afore tha' smell gets out," she mutters. "So, anythin' ye feel like doin' ta pass tha time?" she asks of Amos, stretching her arms - the building had been more cramped than she'd realized.
"Well, you wear the symbol of a Pathfinder, but clearly are not one. There are things that must be discussed about this, young man," it seems odd that this woman, who appears to be his age...perhaps younger...is calling him young man, but she continues, "Though, judging from your reaction, you do not mean to cause the Society any disrespect. Am I right in this?"
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"As for the Wayfinder..." Cassius said feeling he could trust the woman. "It is on a loan from Argus Arthfell, a semi retired Pathfinder. We share an interest in the Cyclopean ruins found in The Shackles, and I've agreed to be his hands and feet on my journeys.
"I don't have any untoward motivation for any ruins I find. If I ever found anything useful it was always my plan to notify the Pathfinders. Hopefully in exchange for a finders fee, ships don't run on promises after all. Then I'd probably set off to whatever ruin I found next."
"I am known as Maura and after our games last night and this morning...I wish to spend the rest of my days with you seeking adventure...if you will have me!"
All of this fills Indrana's head, but not her ears.
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"Certainly. That is not a problem, and in hindsight I can see that carrying it openly could lead to awkward questions." Cassius said with a nod. "I'm open for information to flow both ways too. If there is something that you need to have done that can't be directly tied to you, feel free to pass it on. If it is something I can help with, I certainly will try."