Cori starts off in Kemler’s, curious if the stockroom holds more than merely mundane things.
”Hello there,” she says to the shopkeeper as she enters, offering a warm and friendly smile.
Asking around Alex finds that the governors of Freetown are pretty information on how they run things. If you have something you need to discuss you can just go to their manor and ask for an audience and in most cases you will get it.
Cori enters the General store and sees that the place is stocked with all sorts of hunting, camping, fishing and survival gear and lights sources like torches and lanterns. There is also books and writing supplies and locks and manacles as well as a section for some technological trinkets imported from Numeria.
Cori goes to examine the Numerian technology. As she browses, she casually asks the shopkeeper. "Is this your entire stock? Do you have anything in the back, more expensive items that might be for sale to a discerning customer of means?"
"I do have some special reserves, like this ring of fire resistance to protect me from hot stuff like you. What kind of items are you looking for?" replies the shopkeeper.
Cori gives a flirtatious giggle at the shopkeeper's remark. "Well, how about you show me what you've got? I'm sure I'll find something to fulfill my needs."
Stanislav follows Cori into the shop but does not crowd her. At the pause he encourages the shopkeep We can pay with coin of the realm or, if you prefer we could barter a few trinkets we have acquired. he will flash a golden cup.
After learning what the ritual involves to create the various elementals R'yzzntyg with Ajikisshochraos, search the wilderness surrounding the fortress for possible materials for the rituals, and tries to determine the boundaries of various tribes of the area, by noting the movement of tribe members that she spots.
Alexandr makes the neccessary move to ask for an informal audience.
On the assumption that it is granted, he would ask for one with few if any witnesses, freely offering to disarm himself if they have security concerns.
.
Greetings Good Sirs, I am Alexandr, and you likely know of me, and my association to my ally Fire Axe from your own spies. Alexandr pauses. Letting the daze from his burst wash off.
As such, lets us not beat around the bush, I know of your economic troubles owing the the cleft heads greed, and would be quite interested in knowing exactly how much they demand.
There are possiblities of different overlords, one of them more distant and thus less intrusive, another more well, urbane, and appreciative of things other then gold or slaves, that could surface for your community in the near future. Of course, this has to be worthwhile and both alternatives would consider themselfs less greedy then the cleft heads.
We do not of course, expect you to throw in your lot with our organization before showing that we are more then equal of the Cleft Heads in terms of violence.
In the meantime, we are already providing your community with a nice little and completely deniable cash infusion, as we are clearly just simple adventurers buying things in your community.
He rolls his eyes with a chuckle.
Alexandr is pretty arrogant and will assume they cannot succesfully lie to him if this sense motive fails, I will not read this spoiler myself.
Casta seeing the alchemy shop immediately starts making his way to it. I will see what they can manage here alchemically. Hopefully something useful.” he goes to enter Bottled solutions putting on a front of civility.
Cori/Stannis: The merchant's eyes open wide at the sight of the gold. "Well of course for such a discerning customer I can take out my finest item.
He shows you a belt with a large platinum buckle that shows the symbol of Irori on it. This magnificent belt will enhance all of your physical attributes by a decent margin (+2). This rare and powerful item can be yours for a measly twenty thousand gold pieces or items of equivalent worth.
Alexandr: Alexander is allowed entry and given an audience with two people (and their guards) a middle-aged man (Garrik Bitune) and a middle-aged woman (Marguerite Drovenge). These are the two of the three surviving members of the gang of criminals who founded this town.
They are surprised by your first claim, they have clearly no idea who you are but try to hide it by showing a mask of indifference.
The man speaks up. "As interesting as your proposition is the cleft heads are underlings for another far more powerful group. If we ally with fire-axe and defeat the cleft-heads. Ardax White-Hair will march his army down here and raze freedom town to the ground. We are aware of the growing strength of the fire-axe but they are still no match for the Empty Hand tribe.
Casta: Casta enters the store and is pleased to this store has a decent selection of potions, poisons, and ingredients. A tiefling woman with deep purple skin greets him as he enters. "Greetings, I am Arshoon. What kind of problem do you need a solution for?"
“We’ll that depends, my own alchemical discoveries revolve around the botanical but it leads to a limited knowledge. I seek solutions of all kinds, even those that might be otherwise considered….. unsavory.” he says pulling a small bound book from the folds of his clothes.
Interesting, I though Fire Axe to be about as strong at least as the Empty Hand hmmm. Is he going for the "win great victory over the foe of all Orc-Hood, Lastwall, to steal Empty Hand Coalition members" play.
Alexandr attempts to categorize the information.
Which naturally opens possibilities to you should you assess the situation, powerwise, between the Fire Axe and the Empty Hand to be changing in the former favor. As a wholly plausibly deniable show of our friendly intentions, we are providing some cash infusions into your towns economy, which would look exactly like adventurers buying things to anyone uninvolved.
With this, I would take my leave to join in the "welcome cash infusion" activity, you would not by chance know if and where Stagger proof boots or Eyes of the eagle could be found in your charming town?
@Casta Peeking into my recipe books is a premium service dear, I can't just go around giving away all my secrets now can I?
She has a decent selection of poisons of varying potency.
@Alexandr "We will consider your offer...If the Clef Head leadership were to be eliminated by a third party unrelated to us, however, we would be amenable to a change in allegiance. Until then this conversation never happened. Never heard of the boots but I believe Kemler's Goods might have the eyes you're looking for."
That is indeed a fine and desirable item good merchant. Perhaps a little too fine for our taste at the moment. Would you have something that might enhance strength or desterity, or both?
@Alexandr "We will consider your offer...If the Clef Head leadership were to be eliminated by a third party unrelated to us, however, we would be amenable to a change in allegiance. Until then this conversation never happened. Never heard of the boots but I believe Kemler's Goods might have the eyes you're looking for."
My thanks, and of course I am just an adventurer of no consequence whatsorever.
Alexandr bids his leave with a friendly wink, before heading to Kemler's Goods.
[ooc]Boots are good but the Immediate Action tag means that movement cannot be taking on your turn. Immediate and Swift actions are not the same thing but if you use an immediate you give up your swift on your next turn. I guess you could cheese it and move just before your turn to get a full attack. Hmm... Not sure I would allow that under the idea of "not used as intended."[ooc]
"Such a lovely item," Cori purrs, "but twenty thousand is not the kind of coin I carry around. I do happen to have something on me that you might like. Along with a particular set of skills you might appreciate."
She gives the man a coy smile, and shifts slightly, drawing attention to her figure.
Other items he has are (Ring of fire resistance 12 000 gp) (a ring of Sustenance 2500 gp) (wand of mage armor 750 gp) (A Talisman of Arrow Protection 600 gp) (A ring of spell knowledge III 13 500 gp) (Amulet of Natural Armor +1 2000 gp)
The man considers you for a moment "One hour in the backroom and we have a deal but best I can do is 16 000 or the governor will have my head"
He smiles and the slight chemical burns on his lips and mouth can be seen more easily. “I can trade some secrets for some of yours. Perhaps together we can help each other learn. I do have coin as well if you don’t find anything of interest within my book.”
He surveys the poisons looking for several; Blackfinger’s Salts, Oil of Restlessness, and Blue Star.
"An hour of whatever your heart desires and sixteen thousand gold in exchange for the belt and that amulet," Cori counters, pointing to the Amulet of Natural Armor. "Trust me, it will be an hour you'll remember for the rest of your life!"
The merchant ponders the offer for a time and finally says "17 000 for the belt and the amulet."
Stanislav looks on with interest, glad the man does not seem interested in him.
"Sixteen thousand-five hundred," Cori replies, enjoying the wheeling and dealing with the man. She moves and squirms noticeably, as if the negotiation itself is getting her aroused.
Alexandr enters Kemmlers shop (which is to my understanding a different shop) then the one the scene is taking place.
Greetings, I heard you had some eyes of the eagle in your inventory?
"Alright, you have a deal. He looks to Stannis you will need to wait outside until we conclude our business." He gives a short whistle and what appears to be an animated wooden mannequin comes out of the back. "Close the shop for a bit and keep an eye on things" he tells the mannequin.
As Alex enters the building he just gives you a quick look and says "I do but we're closing at the moment come back in a little over an hour."
S%#&, should have came earlier and sold hat guy some false Litheria blossoms
Sure good Sir, I shall be back then.
He walks out utterly pokerfaced.
@Casta Sorry forgot your response last time.
She considers for a moment and says "Very well show me yours and I will show you mine but coping costs extra."
Her formula book contains the following.
3rd—absorbing touch, heroism; Amplify Elixir; Displacement;
2nd—alchemical allocation, barkskin, false life, invisibility; cure moderate wounds, delay poison;
1st—bomber’s eye, cure light wounds, disguise self, expeditious retreat, shield
comprehend languages, detect secret doors, endure elements, identify;
As the shopkeeper bustles everyone out, Cori scans the shop for any signs of anyone else hiding among the shelves, lest she be caught less-than-alone with the man.
Once satisfied the coast is clear, she instructs the shopkeep to wait in the back a moment while she readies herself.
She strips to her skin, dons her stiletto boots, wraps her body with her silk rope, and takes up her cat-o-nine tails.
She quickly downs a dose of Night Tea for good measure, then saunters into the back room.
"Are you ready to play?!"
Kemler is past his prime and you get the feeling he was never a very good lover. Focused only on his own pleasure he treats Cori much like a piece of merchandise that he acquired. His only redeeming quality is his enthusiasm, you get the feeling that it has been quite the dry spell for him.
When his time is done sweaty and exhausted he motions for you to get your comrade once your dressed.
He offers to buy your gold at 60% of it's market value but he can only offer items in exchange (no coins) because of the taxes being levied by the clef heads.
“Excellant”
1st
CLW, Disguise Self, Heightened Awareness, Shield, Tears to Wine, Ant Haul, Longarm, crafters fortune
2nd
Blur, alchemical Allocation, bears endurance, invisibility, Cat’s Grace, Bull’s Strength, Darkvision, Ironskin, Acute Senses
He reads through the book with a voracious appetite. As he reads he points out several that he wishes to copy, genuine excitement at the possibility of sharing information makes him giddy and his veneer of nonchalance starts to fade.
3rd- heroism;
2nd—barkskin;
1st—comprehend languages,
As he finishes he closes and allows her to look over his formula book. While she does he watches her closely curious as to any hint of her possible motives and if she could prove to be a potential ally here.
Note to self: Kill him slowly, once our business with this wretched town is complete. Cori muses to herself.
She completes the more mundane part of the transaction, claiming the belt and the amulet for herself, and passing the other belt over to Stan.
Now that the merchant is in a more receptive mood Stanislaw will try to negotiate the price of golden items he carries. Producing the candlestick he counters I would aks more than 60% if the gold was merely mended down slag. But what I offer has an art value as well. Look more closely. for such quality I think 90% is more in order. That leaves you 10% profit for simply holding the items for a short while.
@Casta
Arshoon is impressed by your formulea's and happy to meet a fellow alchemist.
She would also like to copy some spells from you.
Blur, bears endurance, Cat’s Grace, Bull’s Strength, Ironskin, Acute Senses
Since she is taking more than you are she offers 300 gold of store credit to make up the difference.
She doesn't have those poisons in stock however all the ones she has are injury types of poisons meant to be applied on a weapon.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- --
Kemler laughs "At 60% I'm already giving you the rate I would give my own mother. The only reason I am offering you such good prices on these items -other than the wonderful lady here. Is I hope to recoup my losses by re-selling your gold. Any other merchant in town would likely give you closer to 40% I just happen to be in a good mood at the moment."
Your loss my friend. Since you have given us a decent deal on your merchandice I could go 80%. That leaves you 20% profit. 20 of something is considerably more than 40% of nothing...
"Not. a. chance...and you can forget about leaving here with those items unless you pay for them." Says Kemler growing frustrated. You get the feeling that any goodwill you've acquired with Kemler is quickly fading away and there is no way he can agree to pay more than he already is. "If you don't like my prices you can offload your stolen gold somewhere else"
Casta surveying the poisonous moves to look at the potions on hand to see if a protection from good potion is on hand, and if so grabs as many as possible up to 6 of them. “Sometimes people do not enjoy their alchemical savants, you understand yes?”
Perhaps a more expanded deal could be considered?
Alexandr says as he pays the list price of 2.5K for the eyes of the eagle.
We do quite frequently come across unusual items, which can often be unsuitable to us directly. If we can come to a long term agreement, then something like us offering them to you first could certainly be arranged for these item.
"Perhaps we can arrange something when you bring me some items but I don't have the luxury to make promises on purely good faith at the moment."
Somewhere, in his dark, now undead ridden keep, Vinnick ponders.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
The alchemist smiles. She gives him the 4 potions of protection from good she has in stock. "People do tend to overly rely on those who can cast spells and sometimes forget that the simplest solution can be found in a bottle she answers.
--------------------------------------
You pay the merchant his coin and he relaxes."Very well, if you change your mind about the gold come back later."
So let me know what your looking to buy and we should try to move on.
Alexandr guys eyes of the eagle for 2.5K cash.
DRAKE SADDLE
PRICE 6,000 GP
Aura moderate transmutation; CL 5th
Slot chest; Weight 10 lbs.
This fine leather saddle is adorned with various designs
of drakes and dragons along its sides. The wearer of this
saddle must be a drake, granting them the mount drake
power. The drake is also treated as one size larger when
determining its carrying capacity.
CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS
COST 3,000 GP
Craft Wondrous Item, mount
REDUCTION HARNESS
PRICE 6,000 GP
Aura moderate transmutation; CL 5th
Slot chest; Weight 10 lbs.
Made of intricately woven copper and silver depicting a
mighty beast being reduced to a small cub, this harness
can only be worn by a drake with a charge or an animal
companion. Upon being activated with a command word,
the wearer’s size is reduced to Tiny, remaining so indefinitely
until the command word is spoken again.
CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS
COST 3,000 GP
Craft Wondrous Item, reduce person