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Guruthos acknowledges the shrine, tilts his head to pray, then does the spiral on his chest when finished. He nods to the undertaker in gratitude, then sets out with her to recover the bodies. Before embarking to the tower, he warns her of what dangers may still lurk (making sure to take some food and water in case the haunts return, and a pen and some paper to draw the house seal to show to the clockwork guardian. He also obtains a small glass vial.
Once the bodies are all recovered and laid to rest, the masked elf gathers a pinch of dirt from each grave and deposits it into the vial. When complete, he subtly requests to visit Calladastina's shrine once more. When they arrive, he kneels before the alter and places the small vial upon it. "Your commands have been obeyed, Lady," his gravelly voice grumbles from beneath the wooden mask, and he motions the spiral once more.
"Well done." A crone-like voice says behind him, startling the undertaker. Guruthos and Calladastina both turn to see a small black raven sitting on the floor in the entrance to the shrine. Her obsidian eyes stare deeply at the elf, and she opens her beak once more, emitting a voice like that of an elderly halfling woman, "You have performed your services well. Come, let us return to the inn, where the master will grant your reward in the form of a restful night of slumber. Your next lesson begins at dawn."
The human woman can hardly believe what she sees and hears, stammering for a moment. "And you, good lady. You have served Pharasma well this day. May she smile upon you." The tiny bird turns toward toward the front door and hops away. Guruthos rises from in front of the shrine, and bows to Calladastina, then wearily makes his way out of her home and back to the inn.
He arrives at the Inn and climbs the stairs without addressing anyone. In his room, he opens the window shutters, and the small raven flies into the room. Removing his weapons, armor, and mask, he lays down on the bed. She perches on his bedpost and whispers, "Sleep now, my boy. No evils will haunt your dreams this night." His eyes close and the sands of sleep fall upon him.
While Guruthos is keeping himself busy, everyone else heads first to the House of Abadar. It is a large, elaborately decorated building designed for multiple functions. It has decorative, predominantly yellow stained glass windows that bathe the interior in a soft, golden light. The temple is not only the central place of worship for followers of Abadar, but also serves the Belhaim community with banking and other services. Inside, a few citizens are waiting in one line or another, utilizing the temples services or engaging in private worship in another part of the building. A busy-looking woman in cleric's robes and golden key around her neck is attending to many things at once. After a minute or two, she glances in your direction, stops, and approaches.
"Good afternoon, and may the Master of First Vault shine on you. I am Eupaphenia Targas, cleric of the Judge of the gods, and head of this temple. How may I be of assistance?"
No time for pleasantries, this was a place of law and order.
"Good afternoon to you, too. I'm Thomas Riverdancer and we're here for business. We're in possession of some valuable gems that are in high demand among your clergy to perform their rituals. Obviously, these are hard to come by in a remote location such as Belhaim, therefore we'd be willing to sell them to you."
Eupaphenia takes a look at the gems within the teak case and the others as well, and is willing to purchase them .
"Thank you for bringing these here to us. Could I perhaps interest you in some of our particular wares?"
Thomas's thoughts were already at the blacksmith shop. "Uh, no, thank you. Maybe another time."
Hanzo hung back, curious. "You go on ahead, Thomas. I don't mind taking a look at what she's got. What kind of things you selling, sister? If it's just holy statues and holy keys, I'll pass too."
Joriannika sighed. Hanzo made the honorific of "sister" sound more like something he'd yell in a disagreement on the street. "Thank you, Eupaphenia, but I'll be going with Thomas. We have some errands to run. Maybe I'll come back later, though."
"There's a smithy right across the Piper's Inn. Let's go there. I gotta get something more reliable than this old stick. Surely they have some marvelous gear there for the fresh coins we have earned." He waved his Spear around.
The cleric smiles politely. And nods her understanding.
"Of course. Another time perhaps. Good day, friends. May our lives and business dealings always be balanced on the scales of life! Alright, please follow me... sir...and I'll show you what we have available."
The party leaves sans Hanzo who follows Eupaphrenia to a counter off to one side.
"We keep a very select number of items available at any one time. We started this practice as a way to offer Abadar's servants a range of helpful items, at a fair price. But quite some time ago it was decided that our items should be available to everyone. Does this temple not serve the entire town? The answer is yes. As is the answer to whether or not anything catches your eye here. I can tell just by looking at you that it does."
On display, behind the counter, are these items:
+1 light crossbow
+2 longsword
scrolls of restoration (3)
wand of cure moderate wounds (with a small sign that says Lightly Used and a price listing of 2,340 gp).
"...and then we truely need to rest." he added.
Hanzo eyes the things with interest. Weapons with masterwork marks, seemingly enchanted as well... scrolls to heal the wounded... and the wand.
Oh, he wanted that wand.
But it cost more than a patrol of horses! So much for such a delicate thing. Hanzo sighed mournfully, and made a show of counting his money... while surreptitiously eyeing the security the church had available. Just for safety's sake, he reasoned to himself.
"Do you have anything a little less... ah, finely crafted?" he asked, examining the wand pointedly.
Guruthos snores a little. It sounds much worse than it really is.
Thomas and Joriannika approach Baccus Smithy, a mostly open-air building where 5 half-orcs are at work doing various things. The largest of them stops when the humans get near, looks toward you, and slowly stands up, slowly approaches, and it seems like several long seconds...when he suddenly gives the widest, friendliest smile and says,
"Afternoon! Welcome to Baccus Smithy! Friends call me "Big-Bull", and I'll consider you my friend 'til you provin' otherwise. Whatun can we do you for?"
Big-Bull turns out to be friendly and even-tempered.
Big-Bull has a friendly attitude towards you; you can buy and sell at standard prices.
***
The cleric gives a polite...and patient grin, to Hanzo as she explains that these are all the items they carry. And the prices are fixed. Those who pursue a life of honest business dealings, if they rely on Abadar, are the ones who find success and affluence. The items this temple carries reflect this philosophy.
"...In other words," the cleric finishes, "No."
With that, she closes the curtains in front of the counter and escorts Hanzo to the exit. Feel free to go catch up with the party, or go anywhere at all.
The very words "honest business dealings" made Hanzo want to laugh, and throw up, at the same time. It resulted in a strange face as he was, essentially, kicked out of the temple.
"Guess I know where I'm not spending my money when I'm rich and famous," he grumbled after the cleric went back in.
But there was another temple, right? Maybe they had a cheaper wand there. And a better attitude towards... less affluent people.
Hanzo went looking for the next temple, to scout out what they had.
Joriannika beamed at the hulking half-orc. It was so nice to see friendly faces, and it looked like he did good work! Her mama had always told her you could judge a man by the quality of the work he did. She stuck out her hand to shake.
"Nice to meetcha, Big-Bull! I'm Joriannika, and this is Thomas. We're here to see if we can find any real nice weapons to buy! We've been tasked with a job by the Baroness, y'see," she confided, fully prepared to keep talking and spill all their business.
Thomas was browsing the gear hanging on the walls and lying on the floor. This was probably the merchandise, yet he could not find what he was looking for. Maybe he was oblivious again or maybe it was just not in stock.
"sorry to interrupt, Joriannika, but I have a question. Mr. Big-Bull, I'm looking for something with a big, very sharp blade, y'know. The back edge not so sharp, could be flat, maybe curved. Its weight is greater toward the end, y'know, making it better for chopping rather than stabbing." He gesticulated strongly when describing what is commonly known as a falchion. He made disturbingly violent moves at the last five words.
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Guruthos grumbles in his sleep. Something in elvan about "groundhog jerky." The raven rolls her eyes and goes back to sleep.
"Weapons?! Well you have found the right place!" The half-orc gently takes Joriannika's hand, his thumb on top, and his fingers wrapped under hers, and kisses her hand. Well, he kisses the back of his thumb. It's an old-fashioned greeting; formal like a gentleman's, but not forward, as a suitor's.
"Ah, a falchion seems to be what you're lookin' fer. I know I'm stocked with all sorts of bootiful things so it's easy to miss, but I got a fresh n finely forged falchion hangin' riight there."
Thomas grabs the sword and makes a few swings. He examines the craftmanship.
"I think that will work. How much? Oh, and I'll leave my trusted spear with you for reselling, too!"
Joriannika giggled at Big-Bull's over-the-top gallantry. She curtseyed in response, then turned to watch Thomas fight the air. "Your work is beautiful, Big-Bull! I don't s'pose you have a rapier of that quality too, do you? I'm not a great fencer or anything, but a really well-balanced blade might help me do what I have to."
"Ain't got much need for rapiers 'round these parts. I gotta couple, and while my craftsmanship is the finest, they wouldn't serve you any better than that one on your hip. If you like, I could take a look at enhancing yours; replace the guard and handle, sharpen the point, and give it perfect balance. It'd be ready by morning if'n it pleases you. 'Course I notice you're eyeing my finely made crossbows. Would you like to try one out?"
"Okok. You got me. I'll take it!" Thomas gladly paid the man for the masterwork sword. He tried to make it look like the blacksmith successfully convinced him, which should make him even happier. But in truth, Thomas was set on the well-made blade from the beginning.
Everyone could see the happiness and pride in his face.
Joriannika noticed that Thomas took several coins from the sack that the temple clerk gave them. When Thomas noticed that she did, he handed her the sack with the remaining coins. "Please take care of this."
At the inn Thomas suddenly felt very tired. He only had a very short meal, overpaid Talia and went straight to bed.
"Hey Thomas! Lookin' good!" Joriannika called to him as she ratcheted back the draw of the crossbow Big-Bull had let her test. Fortunately, she demonstrated the good sense of not pointing it in the direction of any people as she waved to Thomas.
She put a few bolts in the general vicinity of the target the half-orc had set up, then happily bought the machine with her share of the money they'd gotten. "Thanks, Big-Bull! If I ever need anything else, you'll be seeing me again - and maybe even if I don't, I hope!"
She accepted the sack of coins from Thomas with a grin. "Too heavy?" she teased. "C'mon. Let's go see if the other temple has a healing wand."
Joriannika watched Thomas hurry off to bed with surprise. It left her time to think about what the imp had said... and Guruthos' response to it.
That, and to laugh at Hanzo's attempts to chat up Talia.
As Thomas and Joriannika make their transactions and are about to head off, Big-Bull calls out, "Be careful if'n you go wandering into the hills. There's old mine shafts and caves all over the place out there. A lot of them are infested with the ghosts of miners, I hear!"
*******
While all of the was going on, Hanzo wander northward and a bit eastward until he found the Shrine of the Seven Roses, the temple of Shelyn.
Inside you meet Nilas Genser, a cleric of Shelyn, as well as budding "musician." He's extremely laid back. When Hanzo inquires about potential items for sale, particularly wands, Nilas says,
[/b]"Yaw, let me take a look an see what we got. Bah the way, totally lovin' this grungy look you're going for!"[/b]
He shows you to the back wall of the temple, which is a large mosaic, but what of you're not sure. He pulls a few things up from beneath a wooden counter and sets them on the table for Hanzo to inspect. He sets out:
Hanzo whistled appreciatively at the display. "These are nice, man!" he exclaimed, already liking Nilas much better than the last cleric. He sighed and shrugged. "I can't believe you can sell this stuff here. I'm currently loaded, and even I can't afford any of this."
He glanced at the mosaic again, considering it. "So... what's this supposed to be a picture of?"
Joriannika nudged Thomas with her elbow. "That sounds like kobold territory to me. Maybe we can just get their prisoners and ask them to move away?"
Joriannika nudged Thomas with her elbow. "That sounds like kobold territory to me. Maybe we can just get their prisoners and ask them to move away?"
"uh. Yeah, maybe." Thomas did not think that, but didn't want to destroy her hopes either.
When Joriannika gets the chance before he turns in, she'll cast CLW on Thomas, Hanzo and herself (Or Guru if he needs it, but it looks like he's okay?):
[dice=CLW Thomas]1d8+1
[dice=CLW Hanzo]1d8+1
[dice=CLW Joriannika]1d8+1
"Hey, thanks! Where did that come from?"
"I was thinking about my alchemical compounds, and suddenly I realized that it must be possible to close wounds with them... I'm only sorry I didn't think of it sooner!" Joriannika shook her head, abashed. "I've written the process down in my formula book now. Should come in handy, huh? I thought of some other things, too, like how if you utilize the polonium powder with a reagent, you should get-"
Joriannika chattered happily about her new-thought-of formulas, getting a bit technical without realizing it didn't make sense to anyone but her.
"we still should get some healing potions or scrolls before we leave..." Thomas mumbled the next morning during breakfast. "Or can you make some?" he suddenly looked at her.
"I'm not sure," Joriannika hesitated, suddenly uncertain. The she grinned. "But I can certainly try! Not the scroll, I don't know how to make those, but I have plenty of little vials and chemicals! I bet I can mix up something helpful! Don't worry, I'll try one first."
That same day
In response to Hanzo, he glances back fondly and says
"Life as it should be, brother: Belhaim, without all that working. Everyone simply living a simple life with no worries... the artists of the mosaic threw in a warthog, a few meerkats, and a couple lions...which is fine by me, man. I'm all about artistic license."
*****
That next morning
Talia mentions to Thomas and Joriannika at breakfast that if they're doing more work that requires potions, Belhaim does have an apothecary.
"Xemne is a good friend of mine, actually. She'll treat you well."
Hanzo admired the weird mosaic a little longer, then clasped the cleric's arm in farewell. "Take it easy, Brother." For once, the casual sound he gave the title sounded just right.
Joriannika, who had been up since dawn and helping Talia out a little out of gratitude for her earlier generosity, smiled at the innkeep. "It sounds like a good idea to visit her! Thank you!" She nudged Thomas, then looked around for Hanzo and Guruthos. "Haven't those two sleepyheads come down yet?"
Hanzo drooped down the stairs from his room for breakfast. "Visit who?" he asked blearily. "I checked out what the temples had to offer - pricey stuff for such a small place. I guess they get rich people through a lot." He brightened a bit at that idea, then remembered that he wasn't going to rob them when he was known in this small town.
"Apothecary, huh?" he said with his mouth full of breakfast, slouching in his chair. "I guess you'll get along gangbusters. Forbidden chemicals and things?" He grinned at Joriannika, who rolled her eyes.
"Will Guruthos join us? I don't mind, even if he is a strange and secret fellow. Did he say something yesterday? If not, we should leave his share here at the Inn..."
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As though summoned by some dark incantation, Guruthos appears behind Thomas like a swelling shadow. After a brief pause, he takes a seat at the table. He waves away any offers of food or drink; he slipped downstairs in the wee hours and pilfered a small bit of bread, cheese, and porridge, then ate it in his room.
A small raven, previously unnoticed, hops down off of Guruthos' shoulder and pecks at some crumbs on Hanzo's plate. The elf silently peers at the group from behind his mask.
No one actually sees Guruthos pop into the room in an instant. Thomas, Hanzo, and Joriannika each feel the sensation akin to faint breeze along the nape of their necks, and when they look back, Guruthos is behind Thomas.
Talia didn't notice a thing. In fact, she talks herself into believing that he was standing there the whole time and she simply hadn't noticed him.
"Oh, hi Guruthos. Didn't see you there..I guess...Well, we sold the gems and Jori has your share stashed savely. Do you want it, or will you join us getting rid of the kobold plague?... You can bring your new friend here, if you want..." He tried making the last sentence sound like a joke, but wasn't sure himself wether it actually was one.
The elf stares blankly at the group for a moment, then croaks out the word, "Kobolds."
Joriannika started at Guruthos' sudden appearance, halting a rambling chat about temples and tithes and doing good for your fellow citizens.
"Oh! Guruthos! Where did you come from? I'm so glad you decided to come with us! Why is there a bird riding you? Is it your pet? Can he speak? HELLO, BIRD," Joriannika burbled happily once she'd recovered from the shock.
Hanzo, who had nearly jumped out of his skin, took a drink from his mug to cover it. "Kobolds," he agreed, only giving the bird a cursory look, then paused. "Hey, are we gonna split the gem money first? If we're heading to the apothecary for anything?"
At Jori's mention of the bird, it looks up at her, "Caw!" Guruthose doesn't bother to answer questions, instead deciding to stare awkwardly in silence at the others.
Talia keeps shooting side glances towards the raven. She's not really used to having a bird inside her inn...and she's not sure that's something she wants to grow accustomed to.
Thomas addresses the room, looking from one person to another. "Him not complaining is probably the best we will get. I count it as a yes."
He finished his last bites. "Is everyone ready to move out in ... let's say half an hour? We'll check the apothecary on the way and then head to the quarry."
Guruthos nods, then turns to Hanzo, and points to the leather armor he (Gu) is wearing. "Want to sell. You come to armorer with me... please."
Astonished by Guruthos' long speech (and politeness), Hanzo only nodded. He wolfed down his food, then got together his things, aiming a slap on the back at Guruthos, but thinking better of it at the last second, letting his hover-hand drop after a moment.
"OK, pal, let's go. So, you need me to model the armor or something?" he joked as they left. "It's fine, as long as you don't test your blades on it while I'm wearing it!"
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Joriannika reluctantly stopped cooing at the bird as Guruthos carried it away. "I always wanted a pet bird. A songbird, though, probably," she sighed wistfully.
Smiling at Thomas, she told him she'd be down in a moment, and went to put on her armor and grab her things. Properly attired, she trotted down to find him ready to go.
"It probably won't take that long to buy a few potions. Let's go see what Big-Bull thinks of those two afterwards," she grinned.
"Then we're off to free slaves and spread truth, justice, and the Andoran way!"