"Lonjiku disappearing right in time to 'miss' the attack is certainly somewhat suspicious... Perhaps it'd be a good idea to look into him."
Bumbo nods excitedly at Loth and, knowing that the halfling was much more worldly than he, waits to see if he has any idea about what may have happened.
No worries GM! I have no doubts that I'll spell their last name 5 different ways before we find him.
Okay, so here are the options. Let me know which one(s) you want to hit and we can do them.
Weapon and weapon related things (ie weapon cord): Two choices there. Savah's Place and the Red Dog Smithy. Some of you already have experience with these two and know that Savah is the much better smith. Point in fact, some of you worked there off and on, and I believe someone has a coupon to the place. But still, the choice is yours.
For the various alchemical items, again there are two options.
1) Pillbug's Pantry: Run by Aliver "Pillbug" Podiker (middle-aged human man), this place sells mostly medicines and potions.
2) Bottled Solutions: Run by Nisk Tander (youngish half-elf man), sells a wider variety of goods.
For general merchandise, you guessed it, two options: (this small town even has two book stores)
1) General Store: Owned and operated by Ven Vinder (middle-aged human man), oldest and best stocked store in town. Ven Vinder is well known to be a bit of a curmudgeon but extremely doting on his two daughters.
2) Sandpoint Boutique: Run by Hayliss Korvaski (youngish human female), this is more of an upscale store having the slightly more exotic general goods (like a flute) that you probably wouldn't find at Ven Vinder's store.
3ish) The Feathered Serpent: Owned by Vorvashali Voon (glad I don't need to try and say that name out loud) (older human male), a retired adventurer that displays many strange and interesting relics he discovered when he was younger. Some are for sale/trade, others simply shown as momentoes and talking points. His stock moves fairly regularly as friends and colleagues from Magnimar come in to do exactly that.
Also:
IF anyone goes looking for Sheriff Balor Hemlock, he's left town with about 3 guardsmen with him.
And most places are going to give you 10% off of normal purchase price. Notably, Hosk will not. But you aren't going there anyway.
"I am going to head to Savah's, then likely over to the General Store"
"We can hit Bottled Solutions as well, Show Mizzug and Bumbo the ropes as they say."
"If we have time, maybe we could stop by the Feathered Serpent as well. Maybe they'll happen to have something useful around."
"To Savah's."
Aventail will accompany her friends to Savah's but will then head to the Sandpoint Boutique for a flute and a... high-end... grappling hook. ;) Then to the Feathered Setpent to shop for curios...
In that case, Savah's first. As a reminder, Savah is a female human. She focuses more on the arms and armor sort of work than The Red Dog Smithy, and even has done some more exotic weapons (spike chains and the such).
When you enter, she is in the forge hammering away at what looks to a trained eye to be the beginning of a new short sword, with more bar stock in or near the coals. A single apprentice is in to work the bellows and is currently running a blade over a grindstone in the corner. She looks up, at first disinterestedly, and then smiling when she realizes who has come to call.
Ah, welcome back! She shoves the work into the coals (making sure to keep it near the correct temperature), and comes over still carrying her hammer. A fine craftsman shares my forge and then goes on to help save the town. What a story! And now back with the other heroes. Needing some weapons, I presume. What can I do for you all?
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"A pleasure, as always, Savah. Being in your forge makes me feel like I am home. It would have been a shame if goblins had made their way in to make a mess on the floor."
Smiling, widely, Dol introduces her to the rest of the party. "I hope you don't mind that I was in early this morning. I felt the need to create and the day always seems to go better when you start in the right frame of mind.
Now, I believe Razvik had some small needs. I am not sure about the others."
Loth looks at the smiths' handiwork with interest. "You wouldn't happen to make the occasional bag of caltrops, wouldn't you?"
Razkiv is looking at the gathered items on display, it has been the better part of a decade since the dwarf has seen the inside of a weapon smiths shop he looks up at the mention of his name.
"My needs are simple, I need a free hand from time to time in a fight, I am looking for a way to simply secure... he drifts off and his eyes go to a Masterwork War-hammer hung on the wall.
"That is beautiful, is it your work?"
@Dol: Never a problem with you, Master Dwarf. You always clean up after yourself.
@Loth: Aye, good sir. A bag of caltrops shouldn't be a problem for you folks. Just don't tell the guards where you got them, they're supposed to be for them. But I can make another bag easily enough. And NO ONE HERE WILL SAY A WORD TO THE SHERIFF OR ANYONE ELSE. She says the last part at an unusually high volume, until you notice she's craning her head toward the young man working the bellows and giving him a stern look. Turning back to you with a smile, she continues, If you ever need anything else, just let me.....
@Razkiv: She trails off as you ask your question and her smile broadens before she answers, A fine piece of work indeed. Made it myself last year for a fellow that came through here. A Master Coinstone. But he had to leave in the night, left half the money for it and a not apologizing that he couldn't stay until it was finished. So here it stays until someone else comes for it. Interested?
Aventail waits patiently.
"I have need of a heavy crossbow. Some quarrels. And a grappling hook, if you make such."
Aventail hefts her new javelin.
"I won this yesterday, before the attack. Did you make it?"
Bumbo looks around at the weapons with only mild interest. His skills didn't lie in such areas, and he was very well aware of it. He had his trusty sling, and some basic magics...with the surly Toot always ready to fight, that was really all he needed. He's there to support his new companions, but does nothing more than remark upon the qualities of various things as he waits for them to make their purchases.
Watching her companions move about the place in wonder, Mizzug inquires "So...yous pay her fer chance to fight fer weapon?"
"Shes must be quite skilled. Not many scars..."
@Aventail: A crossbow, you say? I have a few choices, depending on your taste in such things. She takes you over to another part of the smithy and shows a wall where about a half dozen crossbows sit and points out three of them (the others being smaller). This one here is the best of the three. Oak frame, simple sights, good Taldan steel for the cross arm. The other two are good, but this one is the best. (Your choice of a masterwork or not.) But if you're really into the idea..... At this she moves over to a dusty, glass display case. Blowing some of the forge soot off of it, she opens the lid and reveals one of the finest looking crossbows any of you have ever seen. Made with a dark wooden frame and shiny metal cross arm, the whole thing is emblazoned with intricate designs. But by far the most interesting thing about it is the small barrel of quarrels attached to the bottom with a spring operated rotation system built in. Bought this beauty a few years back, thought I might sell it to the city guard for a bit of a profit. But was never in the budget. She pulls back on a lever and you hear a loud click as she turns to take aim at a support beam. She quickly plugs it four times with bolts before looking back at you. This little beaut will fire up to 6 bolts before needing to reload, takes any size of quarrel you'd find (within reason), and comes with its own cleaning kit. Whadda ya think?
@Aventail 2: Grappling hook? Aye, I make 'em.. Sell 'em to Vin Vinder and his General Store. Best to check there. Be quicker than me having to make you one from scratch. She pauses, gets a wicked smile and leans in close. Just let me know if he over charges you and I'll pay you back for it. And then I'll up charge him on the next order. She gives a big wink before continuing. The jav? Indeed I did. The head, anyhow. Haft was made by the carpenters putting on the contest. They do some fine work, make most of the hafts and frames I need for me.
@Mizzug: She looks at you quizzically, opens her mouth, seems to think better of it, and then moves on to thank Bumbo for his kind words.
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"No, Mizzug, Savah makes high quality weapons for others to fight with, so that those others are better equipped to defend the town.
Your community must have those who specialize in making weapons and armor, yes? A good smith improves the abilities of every warrior and we would never dream of injuring such a person.
In towns like this, we trade things of value to get things that we want. In this case, we want some of Savah's products, so we come to trade with her.
We might not have the things that Savah values, though, so we use these coins as a stand-in. When we have something of value to someone, whether it be an item, or our service, we give that thing to them and we receive coins in exchange. We then use those coins to get things that we value from other people. The coins ease the system of trade in a community as large as this one."
Loth will get 2 bags of caltrops if possible, which would be 18 silver total with the discount.
Raz looks at the hammer for a while, "The hammer was my brothers weapon, and I could not afford one that fine. But it is quite the piece of work. I'll be back is things keep the way they are."
Aventail nods. "Alas, as fine and useful a mechanism that might be, it might prove too complicated for this mechanism. As for the others, I have not the coin you might wish for the better quality weapon. So. A regular heavy crossbow. A quiver. 40 bolts. I will attend the General Store as you say to purchase a grappling hook..."
@Loth: Done and done.
@Razkiv: Understood. I'll keep it around for you. Not likely to get another buyer, but just in case.
@Averntail:
---Understood. She smiles at the crossbow fondly as she carefully puts in back in the case and closes the lid. She lifts another one off the wall and sights it before handing it over to you, This one here has some fine sights on it, and is one of the harder wooden frames. Comes with these. And remember what I said about Vinder.
Aventail thanks Savah for the discount(s) and carefully counts out her coins. She then departs, heading to the Sandpoint Boutique to find a flute.
Raz pays for his purchase, Looks over to Mizzug. "Do you need anything friend?" If not then he will follow Dol.
The door opens to a show room lined with shelves holding every sort of thing imaginable. Ore and mineral shavings sit across from dried fruits and jars of eyeballs of various sizes. Along one wall sits a row of planters full of sprouting herbs. Though there are few windows, numerous skylights keep the interior much better illuminated than you would expect upon entering. A large counter sits near the back wall and behind that a broad and open doorway shows another room full of beakers, burners, bubbling, boiling, and brewing. The door opens quietly and no one seems to be in the shop. After wandering down the isle, looking closely, and still not seeing anyone, one of you approaches the counter and calls out. A One moment! responds from the back room before Nisk Tander emerges (male, half-elf) wearing googles, apron, and heavy gloves. Yes? Can I help you?, he asks absentmindedly as he stares you from behind the glass lenses.
One of the largest stores in town, the building is something of a dichotomy. The outside is somewhat plain, if well made, built of sturdy square stone blocks. The inside, however, is a riot of color, shapes, smells, and sizes. Clothe and upholstery are a rainbow in one corner, toys and instruments in another, a whole fountain filled not with waters but with candies rests in the middle of the floor. It is extravagant, and borders on gaudy, but somehow still comes across as tasteful. A middle aged human woman arranging clothes along one wall turns when you enter, a holy symbol of Abadar pinned to her lapel. Hayliss Korvaski is her name, and she smiles pleasantly at Aventail. Ah, one of the heroes of the town come to visit my shop. Well, many people consider Abadar just a god of money. But let me tell you, that is not true. He is also a god of communities. And you, good fellow, helped to save ours. And that's the truth. So let me help you however I can. What brings you in today?
Eyeing the others, she shrugs. "So no need fight. In tribe we had fight after exchange. You has prove self worthy to use blade."
'Such a strange people. How do they know if weapon made well without using it first?'
Giving another long look around the shop, Mizzug shakes her head. "All is small, puny handed... Need bigger ones but...need earn right ta use."
Thumbing her small sling, she shrugs. "Maybe back if use rocks."
Heading out with Raz and Dol, she stops suddenly at the sight of the brews.
"Shaman? OOOO intn't der one ta mend ya? We shud get one."
"Good day, mister Tander. Would you happen to have some flasks of Alchemist's Fire?"
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Dol tries to parse Mizzug's words but isn't quite sure this time. "I think this shop only sells items that are made without magic. Healing potions generally require magic. You can ask, I suppose."
After Loth steps forward, Dol adds. "Aye, Mister Tander, and the Forgefather's blessing be upon your shop.
Our group has been deputized by the Sheriff, and will be taking on some special assignments. As well as the alchemical weapons, I would like to start putting together a set of healing supplies.
Funds are a little tight at the moment, but I think I can afford some smelling salts and two doses of vermin repellent, if you have them.
I'm also in the market for some leeches, and eventually a healer's kit. Do you prepare those or should I look at the general store?"
Aventail struggles to take in the vast panoply of miscellaneous items, and cannot fathom their likely multifarious uses or provenances. She turns to the proprietor and nods.
"Fellow Hayliss. I find battle and warfare unsuited to the ultimate fulfilment if my soul, and seek to employ music to assuage my anomie. Do you have a flute I could look at?"
Nisk Tander looks at you all gathered in front of his counter. His distortedly large eyes blink from behind the googles as he seems to be processing your words. Without expression, he answers simply, Yes. I have these things. Alchemist fire, acid, alkali, repellents, slaves, potions of various magics, thunder stones, tinder twigs, anti-toxin. I carry no leeches, but do have a the requirements for a healer's kit if you would like me to put one together. He turns as if to go and start gathering up the things you'd mentioned, but stops and turns back to you. Still in his work clothes, and still without expression, he asks, You have the money for all of this, yes? Some of these items are quite expensive.
Oh, how well spoken you are! Come over this way, dear. She hooks her arm in yours and begins walking you towards another part of the store. Brilliant design work too. You know, you'd fit right in here as a display, if you're ever interested. Now, what kind of flute are you interested in? I have three types. Side held, pan pipes, and an ocarina. These flutes take up a single shelf surrounded by a small collection of other instruments (drums, harmonica, lute, etc) and there are about a dozen total across the three types. The ocarina and pan pipes are all made of wood, but the side held has both wood and metal types. Whichever one you pick, she immediately begins trying to sell you accessories. A carrying case, a cleaning kit and maintenance kit, repair kit (depending on the type you chose), extended warranty on the item, etc. It takes at least 3 no's before she stops trying to add on to the sale.
Bumbo, now with some coin in his pocket, decides that perhaps now is the time to pursue a potential hobby that he'd always been interested in.
I'd love a kit for making maps, but this may not be the place for that. For now....do you perhaps have some glue, and maybe solvent for the same? Never know when you'll need to fasten...or unfasten something.
"My purse is still rather full, Dol, if you'd like I could pitch in for the healer's kit. If we're diving back into danger then it's an investment that I'm sure will pay back by saving our lives."
With but a nod to Dol, Mizzug adds "I kin give in too. If travel in wilds needs tend cuts."
Aventail tries a few side-held flutes but cannot seem to easily catch a note. Her lack of precise lips stymieing her efforts. The pan-pipes prove similarly elusive. An ocarina gives up a throttled sound or two.
"Perhaps I will improve!" Aventail muses.
Politely fending off her erstwhile saleswoman's overtures to purchase an ocarina-pouch, cleaning kit or collection of sheet music Aventail wanders the store for a few minutes before moving on to the General Store to purchase a grappling hook.
@Bubmo: Yes..... I believe it is ...... And he wanders off into the shelves, coming back with a vial of sovereign glue and universal solvent. Seeing your look, he seems to consider slowly while blinking with a blank faced expression before wandering off again without saying anything. He comes back with a small clay pot with a wooden stopper on it. And this.
@Dol: Done and done, gathered in his arms and rung up at normal price minus 10%.
@EVERYONE WHO BOUGHT HERE: One little detail for the meta game, and this is straight from the book. Nisk Tander is not as talented as he thinks he is and his alchemical concoctions don't always work quite as expected. Magical alechmical items (potions, philters, etc) have a 5% chance of not working as intended. Non-magical (everything you guys bought), has a 2% chance. What exactly that does is determined randomly if it comes up and can vary from the glue not drying as quickly as it should to the vermin repellent actually attracting them. As such, please mark all the items in some way to let yourself know when you use them to roll this chance. It'll be the low end of things on a d100 roll that results in something unusual happening.
@Aventail: She smiles broadly, not put off in the slightest by your refusal of add ons, Oh, I'm sure you will. I've always loved that little flute. My mother used to tell me stories about an elven warrior who played one...
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@Everyone: On to the General Store?
Raz looks at the bottled fire for a long time, but then moves on with the others.
You all meet back up outside of the town's oldest shop, simply called the General Store. Owned and operated by Ven Vinder with help from his wife and occasionally his 2 daughters, this shop stocks everything a rural town might need. Tools aplenty for everything from sewing, farming, cooking, and more. They even have a post hole digger. It's for digging holes ..... for posts.
Blades along one wall consist not of weapons, but tools. Wood axes, belt knives, table knives, etc.
Slightly more versatile goods in another corner. Rope, sacks and bags, shovels, blankets, bed rolls, etc.
Kitchen goods make up the majority of his wares. Salt, cutting boards, pepper, teas, root vegetables, etc. (There is a separate Grocer's Hall in town that deals with the more perishable food items like fruit and meats).
As you enter, Ven sits behind the counter, whittling a fresh block of wood. He looks up as you enter, grunts something that is probably a greeting, and promptly returns to his carving as though you'd all left. A flash of red hair behind one of the aisle shelves shows a person disappearing through a door into a back room.