The man widens his oily smile
“Certainly! We use only the finest materials to preserve your companion. I have several proprietary oils and unguents that perfectly preserve the skin of the subject, and I have several craftsmen who can custom create eyes and other simulacra of softer tissue. What sort of creature is your companion?”
"My companion is a small reptile.
My last companion was beloved and I was amiss in not preserving him. Walking by I saw your shop and thought, this is an opportunity I cannot pass on!
Must the eyes be custom? Were they preserved with some sort of clerical magic could they still be utilized? These unguents must be reapplied or they will outlast me?"
The man smiles even more unctuously
“I am certain we can work with magically-preserved eyes. We wouldn’t guarantee anything not our own work of course, but we can use them.
As for the unguents and warrantees, we give a 20-year limited warranty on all our work. The unguents are used to initially treat the skin. While it is not necessary, I recommend an application every few years of our Like Live skin conditioning cream to keep the skin supple and lifelike. We sell it here”
Jakun takes a few moments to contemplate the man's response trying of course to give Kossel enough time to search for secret doors within and in the back area of the shop.
"This cream, is it magical or is it made of natural herbs?
Would an application last for some time in a vial or would I need to return here for a fresh coat making this a regular port of call as it were?
After 20 years, would he need to be "reskinned" for lack of proper nomenclature or is the idea that the previous owner is "on the way out" as well and therefore no one else would be so worried about the condition of the preserved beloved pet?"
That brings you to a menu that allows you to scroll down, there you will see a list of Players and Characters - click on Dennis Harry [my default board name] as Active Player and Jakun Stormhoof as Active Character. Then of course, select Save Changes.
….beloved pet?"
The man’s unctuous smile begins to become a bit brittle
“We are proud of our work, which is hand-crafted with no magical shortcuts. Both the elements used in creating your project and the Like Live cream are non-magical, simply being the highest-quality natural ingredients.
“We sell the Like Live cream in single use bottles. You could buy several in advance, but the best way is to visit us every so often in your travels for a new supply.
“The 20-year warranty would allow you at any point up to 20 years to return and get a pro-rated discount on any needed repairs, depending on several variables like condition of project and how it was stored. One of our commissions should last well over a century with proper care. .”
Jakun snorts and rumbles in contemplation, the sort of sounds coming from a 7 foot creature that should give any brittle unctuous smiler pause.
Intimidation .
Finally, after buying a bit more time for Kossel in contemplation, he speaks.
"This seems to be something that I can indeed buy into, of course, my pet is alive and well so I do not need your services right now! But.
Perhaps some sort of deposit is in order? Perhaps a salve as well in case he perishes while I am at a port of call or on the sea to preserve him so I can get him back into your expert hands?
How much would this all cost me?
The man ponders, casting a worried eye at Jakun
“If I could see your pet, I could give you an estimate. It is a bit … unorthodox to have a standing request for a taxidermy project, but I am sure we can accommodate your wishes “
Jakun grins, "Of course!"
He reaches into his backpack for Kossel... rummaging around for him, "What the Devil?" His eyes narrow as he gazes at the Shopkeep. "He was here a moment ago. Perhaps he is hiding on your shelves, posing for his eventual positioning? He's got a grim sense of humor this one".
Jakun begins scanning the shelves to see if he "sees" his beloved pet.
Kossel slyly appears as if just looking about the young black dragon mounted in the corner of the room
"Ah, there he is! Striking a pose.
You little sneak, come down here".
Jakun grins, "As you can see, he is not particularly large. The trouble will be deciding how best to pose him".
The man nods
"Is he friendly?"
Jakun nods.
Once the interaction is complete, he will exit the store and head back to his companions.
The salesman and Jakun discuss Kossel's 'future' and the man takes a few measurements of him while they discuss price. The man quotes a fairly pricey amount, and Jakun asks for a bit of time to think about it. The man nods and they part on amicable terms.
Jakun returns to the tavern and the rest of the group.
Jakun will try and coax the layout of the backroom from Kossel. At least that's where he seeks information initially, i.e. other doors, trap doors, anyone else back there?
Kossel is able to coney that he observed a humanoid emerge from a secret door in the hallway behind the showroom. This humanoid opened a nearby regular door, then unlocked a chained door at the end of another hallway and departed to the outside
Jakun asks for a description of the humanoid.
Kossel describes the humanoid vaguely, as he is unsure of the differences. He mentally describes a human about ‘two thirds masters height’
Jakun turns to his companions, "Well, there is a secret door in the back. I would imagine that is where we should begin.
Do any of you remember a bald headed man?"
"One doess not recall a bald human. But your desscription of the hidden door, and the other door to outside. That would be the chained door that I noticed, one pressumess. That provides One a bassic layout of interior."
”The back entrance sounds good. If need be, we might have to bust that chain,” Tragon suggests.
"One would be willing to try and pick lock. But One is not an expert in that field." The kobold says humbly.
"If we musst break it, We should be prepared to move with hasste."
”The back entrance sounds good. If need be, we might have to bust that chain,” Tragon suggests.
"Then I suppose we at least have our point of entry." Nahuatl ti says.
"And we at least know where their secret entrance is located, we can enter and quickly move without delay once inside".
Between the information Jakun, Kossel, and Taishe have collected, the group gets a limited idea of the interior of the guildhall
”I wonder if there’s a way we get one particularly stealthy person in the front door, who can then go and let everyone in from the back without a lot of noise.”
Taishe makes a quick sketch on a spare parchment based on the information Jakun and his familiar have provided.
"Clearly, One advissess entry through side door and hidden doorway. Avoid main entry. Although, disstraction at front would aid in entering unnoticed." The kobold looks at the others.
"Commotion would not need to be desstructive to draw attention." Taishe hastily adds.
"One doess not shy from collateral damage. But One doess not condone wanton damage either. Fire can sspread too eassily. But alchemical thunderstone, loud argument, street brawl, or even rowdy group of younglingss at play or throwing rocks would do for our needss. Only need attention from side door for a few momentss. Yess?
"We should just enter at night, the business will be closed no?
I suppose a third party distraction would do but would that not also alert those inside to come peek when we want them asleep or at least, otherwise occupied?"
Taishe shrugs.
"Night, agreed. Attention diverssion,...It, wass but a thought. One expectss there will be ssome on guard. A minor disstraction would draw their attention for a moment, but not alert everyone till they determine if noisse wass sseriouss or not. Trick iss to not make TOO much disstraction. Thuss idea of rowdy younglings, or drunken brawl. Loud frontal asssault diversion iss too obviouss. They would be ready for uss." The kobold explains, uncharacteristically slipping into a faster speech pattern that uses more "s's" than usual.
"I agree with the idea of a night entry." Nahuatl ti chimes in.
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The party makes its plans as the hot day sequels into a breezy cool evening. The sun sets beyond the distant shapes of the Blue Mountains, and Opal comes alive with its night traffic. There seem to be a lot of guards about this evening. Perhaps the Harbormaster’s murder might have something to do with that.
Finally all is in preparation. The party walks down to the Taxidermist’s Guild without Incident. They position themselves and ready their plan
Tragon looks out for ambushes, but can be called into service if brute force is required on the door.
As the group arrives, Jakun pulls a wand from his backpack and casts a spell upon himself.
"Kossel and I will try that backdoor and see if we cannot get you into the front".
The Wizard then replaces the Wand and casts a spell upon himself.
He makes his way to the guild and goes around the side of the building, seeking the door to the outside that Kossel had stated was there, Kossel is wedged into his wizard robes.
"Oi kin start a distraction if we needs one," whispers Norveg. "Oi'm pretty good at it."
"Indeed. You are quite good at it." Taishe agrees quietly.
"One humbly offerss to aid in the endeavor. If you wish." He adds as an afterthought.
The kobold turns his head slightly, giving the ratfolk a sideways glance and an only-slightly mischievous draconian grin.
"Did friend Norveg have anything, particular, in mind?"
The main entrance is shut with a ‘closed’ sign upon it. The display windows have storm shutters closed on them with hasp locks. The side entrance remains (presumably) locked in the alleyway. Both doors have well-made locks that are key opened
Jakun checks the door. It is indeed locked. The door looks fairly sturdy. Kossel fetches Taische
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The kobold hastens after the familiar to where Jakun waits. He swiftly examines the door.
"Ah. One moment, pleasse."
The kobold pulls out a set of picks that look impossibly fragile in the Dragon-kin's claws. He tilts his head to look at the lock once more, and sets to work,...
Taische is inspired, and he opens the lock in record time. The door swings open revealing the dark interior of the Taxidermist’s guild. Kossel lopes over to where the secret door is hidden and scratches it
Looking around at his companions he says quietly.
"Shall I provide some illumination?" If the consesus is yes he will cast light for the group. Followed by a mage armor spell for himself.
Jakun shrugs, "If we use light we may lose the element of surprise. If we do not, we cannot see. I think illumination is wise.
Tactically, I have chosen spells that can effect our foes en masse, if we encounter a group, allow me to get my spells out ahead, if possible".
After an initial look of surprise, Taishe cannot quite hide a self-satisfied smirk. Obvious even on draconian features.
Taishe bows his head in acquiesce of Narl's and Jakun's suggestions.
The kobold bows low and gestures the much larger, and stronger, Minotaur to precede his own diminutive self.