Creating so you fine folks can dot the thread
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You all gather around the front door to the formerly occupied Bartleby’s Battleground. It was once a place that drew adventurers and wannabes. Normal folk could get the bare basics, while those that wanted to could find a well crafted blade, bow, or suit of plate for a reasonable price. Nowadays, the windows are boarded up, spiders have spun webs in the corners of the sign above the door, and if you peak through a few of the cracked boards you see nothing but pitch black gloominess.
You place the key in the door, and hear the click as the door unlocks. The hinges creek and groan as you force the slightly stuck door open. Some of the sunshine filters in through the door, as you see a figure sitting at a table, and the figure remains motionless as you stand in the doorway.
Zen'Zot looks at the place and sees potential and hopes that his skills can help breathe solid life into this place in his families name. "Well, it looks like a bit of cleaning and maintenance is required, I will get right on this door as it would not be good to have a door that is reluctant to welcome prospective customers from entering. So what shall we call this place? I would suggest maybe the Floating Feather or the Treasure Chest. Perhaps the latter would draw in more customers as it does speak to the general nature of our wares. What say you all?"
The strange witch walks into the building, an orange tomcat on her shoulder. The cat looks around with interest, while the woman eyes the place with mild distaste at its condition.
"More than mild, I'd say." She comments drily. She sees the figure at the table and puts a hand on the knife at her hip. "Who are you?"
"I be Zen'Zot of the family Oremite crafter extraodinaire. Dis place is beholden to da family of Oremite and I aim ta make it profitable but from my understandin' dare are a few others dat also hold a piece of dis property would you be one of dose?"
Zen'Zot's black and white Capuchin monkey scrambles up Zen'Zot to peek around his head over his shoulder at the new arrival. "Ah dis be Nutty and dis," he sides steps a bit to present a 2-foot tall wooden poppet, "be Woody."
The cat on the witch's shoulder meows inquisitively.
"This is Kavius." She reaches up to scratch the cat's ears. "As for myself, I am Karita Tel-morin, known to some as 'Windborne', formerly of the River Kingdoms. But you can just call me Karita, or Windborne." She extends a hand in greeting, her forearm covered in various tattoos. "I bought a share in this old shop and now it's time to see where fate will take me."
"Ah well met den, I come down frem da Kortos mountains. Dis River Kingdom, I 'ave heard of it. Yer long way frem home lassie." Zen'Zot wipes his hand on his clothes to make sure its free of dirt before taking the ladies fingers and leaning forward in a bow of respect bringing his forehead near the back of her hand but does not kiss it. He then releases here hand asking, "So ya fella crafter or a merchant perhaps?"
A short, somewhat stocky human woman with a mischievous grin and a long, simple dress walks through the open front door. "Hello! Mara Thorngage, esquire. I represent the interests of my client for this establishment." She nods to Zen'Zot and Karita in turn. "And you must be the representives of the Oremite clan and Karita, her own representive. I read your names on the papers."
Mara is lying about being an attorney.
Karita as you speak to the figure it remains silent. As more natural floods the room…you see it is half of a mannequin. There is some old tattered leather armor on it…but otherwise harmless.
"Crafter, Zen'Zot. I work in chemicals, stones, plants." She takes the measure of the newcomer, looking her over. "Another with a stake? Seems the church of Abadar was more desperate than I thought to sell this place."
The witch begins to look around, assessing the place. "If two of us are artisans, perhaps we need to assess where we can set up workshops? If we're to turn this to a profit, we'll need to get going on that."
As Karita looks more closely at Woody she notices that while it has facial features to an extent they are not movable nor living in anyway. Further it has a large chest strapped upon its back.
While awaiting Karita's reply another female walks in and announces herself. The way she stated her claim caused Zen'Zot to squint in doubt but he responds with, "Yes lassie, Zen'Zot be me name an' I be representen me clan fer sure, an' who be yee representen?"
Definitely notices the fib but tries to hide that he noticed
and fails miserably ;)
Mara looks somewhat frustrated that Zen'Zot has seen through her fib but doubles down anyway. "My clients wish to remain anonymous, at least for the time being. Because of attorney-client privilege, I will honor their wishes."
She nods to Karita with a charming smile. "Indeed, setting up seems wise. I believe I can make myself useful in improving the reputation of our shared establishment, ensuring a prodigious influx of cash."
She moves toward the mannequin and examines the tattered leather. "Is this of any resale value?" She traces her finger along the leather and mutters something, casting a simple spell.
You cast mending on the tattered leather armor. The spell seems to be unable to repair the item. The leather armor seems to weigh beyond the parameters of the spell.
Mara casts another spell.
To Mara's claim of attorney-client privelege Zen'Zot just nods he would take that up with her in private when the situation presented itself for know he is fine with her and her attempted rouge.
Watching Mara examine the Poppet Zen'Zot says, "De items it be wearren are not real day simply look real. Day are in fact all wooden aspects of dee underlying Poppet. So ya cunna effect dem without changing dee Poppet itself. As fer it bein' marketable, yes I con reproduce dem in both this size and haff dis size but dis specific one is not fer sale."
You cast the basic Detect Magic spell, and the leather armor doesn’t have any magical auras. It appears to be basic leather armor.
Uwe looks over the armor and says, "Whoever wore this did not fare well. It might be better to let this armor go and use its parts to form other goods."
"Ah yes I am sure dat I can restore it given wee bit a time but den as yee say stranger, perhaps it might be better used being repurposed. I be ZenZot part owner of dis here establishment and who might yee be."
While cleaning and fixing up all that needs to be done, Karita spots a door. . After some light cleaning, a mending spell or two the door is able to opened. Inside the door, she spots an workstation with tools in the bench. She’s surprised to find an Leathee Workshop that has once used to create leather goods. It may not be the alchemist shop, but it’s a nice find nonetheless…the only questions is do any of her shop partners have the requisite skills.
On the other side of the room, she spots another door, however this one seems to be in similar disrepair.
"There is an old leatherworker's shop here," she calls. "Do any of you know how to use these tools? There is also another door, if someone can help me open it?" The witch points out as she gets the attention of the others.
"I am Uwe von Roth. My skills like with working on weapons, not leather. But perhaps I can open this door." Uwe says with a surly tone. Uwe will then go and examine the door to see if it is still locked and then cast a small enchantment to open the door if it does not seem barred.
"Eye lassie I be knowen 'ow ta use dem dare leather tools."
The witch waves Zen'Zot over. "Then you might have a workshop, if one in need of some upgrades." She shrugs.
Zen'Zot walks over to look at the condition of the current leather working tools and facilities. Woody follows him over. As he walks over he says, "Dat be good, dat is once less workshop we be needin ta put inta place. If we be lucky dare will a alchemist workshop beyond dat door."
"Luck. Or fate. Probably empty, given our luck so far. If there's at least room for one, that would suit me." The tattoed woman shrugs. But she smiles. "I do like your positivity though, Master Dwarf."
Mara nods to Uwe von Roth. "Ah yes. I saw your name on the papers. Nice to meet you in person. Might I inquire as to your background in business? That will help us plan our collaboration."
Mara comes over to the door and nods. "Ah I suppose there is a small risk that anti-theft devices are still present on this door. Wise, Mr. von Roth. I have a friend who can help with this." She bows to the air and calls "Xerxes the Elegant, assist me if you please." There is a small puff of smoke and then a glowing blue ring of light through which flaps a small, owl-like creature wearing a monocle, a topcoat, and a small waistcoat. Other than clothes, the creature differs obviously from an owl in that a small set of feathered arms sticks out from under the wings, giving it a total of six limbs.
"Ah, Mara Thorngage. A pleasure to see you, as always." He nods and bows in return. "A door, I see. Fascinating contraptions and very popular with Material Planites such as yourself. If I may...." He withdraws a small set of tools from the waistcoat and examines the door.
As the group made their way through the establishment, a slightly older man with a well-trimmed goatee, stepped into the store’s main entrance and then leaned quietly up against the door's frame. Standing there quietly, he observed the group while patiently chewing on a short piece of barley. After dusting off a wide-brimmed hat, that had been partially covering his face, he placed it back on his head and then tilted it a bit forward.
Standing there, chewing on the fine straw, he seemed to pay close attention to the conversation that was taking place. Only moving occasionally to adjust the weight of a heavy blade that hung loosely from a double-leather harness that was tightly strapped across an ornately gold-etched breastplate.
After a fare amount of listening time, the man finally broke his silence. “Well, it would seem most everyone is here.” His deep voice relayed a strong sense of confidence and authority. “So fare, everything is as I expected it to be, except for one thing.” His eyes made contact with Mara’s as he slowly tilted the brim of his hat up. “Just one, somewhat daunting question.” His eyes narrowed as he reached up and removed the straw from his mouth and then pointed it at her. ”Who in the F*UCK do you represent counselor?”
"I am Uwe von Roth. My skills like with working on weapons, not leather. But perhaps I can open this door." Uwe says with a surly tone. Uwe will then go and examine the door to see if it is still locked and then cast a small enchantment to open the door if it does not seem barred.
The door is locked, as well as stuck.
Mara, you check the door and all seems okay in terms of anti-theft devices or other deterrents. You deftly pick the lock on the door, but it’s still stuck. (Perception please)
At the new voice Zen'Zot turns and spying the individual says, "Ah da 5th wheel I presume. I be Zen'Zot of clan Oremite and who might yee be and perhaps more important what is yee claim ta dis place?" His question is obviously meant to deflect the question the person asked of Mara as his ability to mask his reasons are generally futile.
Mara's eyes flash wide and she leaps back as the inquisitor's tone becomes much more threatening. She snaps her fingers and a full-sized stallion springs up between the two of them, nostrils flaring. She immediately takes a deep breath and lets it out, calming down. "Let's keep this collegial, Mr. Swindleman. We're all working together." As a show of good faith, she directs the horse toward the door.
Eventually, the horse gets the idea and applies its back hooves to the door.
After the door yields, Mara peers at what's inside and turns back to Aldric. "As I stated, my client wishes to remain anonymous. This is not uncommon practice in the commerce of this city. Suffice it to say that they are ready to invest in our shop and intend to help it prosper."
Karita ignores the discussion between the others beyond rolling her eyes at Mara's tone and looks past them to peer at whatever is beyond the now open door.
Before you have the door unstuck…the Eidolon can hear a mass of chitters and squeaks from behind the door.
Without removing his icy stair from the summoner, the man in the door responds to Zen’zot. “Well, I had a formal introduction planed, but by the looks of things, it’s no longer necessary. I can simply say I’m representing an erroneous third party, right? I mean it not like a fake business partner will be held liable for any skullduggery that transpires. Then there is an obvious lack of accountability for any business negotiations or contracts that take place. Technically they don’t exist outside of my say so, right? So, with that in mind, I am representing an outer-world being that has a stake in the business.” After taking a shallow breath he pause long enough to reconsider the conversation.
“I take it back.” He states while looking over at the dwarf. “You didn’t deserve that sarcastic response. As far as I can tell, you are transparent. A craftsman, from what I have heard so fare. I suppose I’m a bit frustrated with the ambiguousness of the summoner. I suppose that situation can be handled in other ways.”
After taking a more relaxed posture he continues. “As Mara pointed out, I’m Aldric Swindleman.” After loosening the straps to one of his belt pouches, he flips its leather flap open and withdraws a sealed document. “I’m a representative from the Vault of Abadar. It would seem that the previous owner of this rundown establishment was heavily indebted to the counsel before his untimely demise. By default, that left the church in a position to claim a portion of his estate. Here is a decree from the Ivy district counsel announcing their claim. So, by appointment, I have been selected to represent the Vault in the pursuit of reestablishing the business and collecting their share of the proceeds. That said, the bank intends to reinvest a large portion of its proceeds back into the business.”
After handing the document to the dwarf, he looks past the horse and directly at Mara. “I’m letting you know that I intend to open an investigation into you, your client, and anyone connected to your claim of ownership. In addition, I will report this invisible business partner to the counsel. I’m fairly sure they will have a few questions of their own.”
Mara sighs and rolls her eyes at Aldric's threat. "Please. If you are looking for someone to investigate, I could give you a dozen better leads on criminal enterprises in this city."
But then Xerxes pipes up. "Excuse me, all. But it seems that numerous pests, I cannot determine what, are on the other side of this door. I recommend that you all prepare for trouble ranging from the deadly to simple extermination."
Mara nods and reaches into her backpack. "I had hoped to unfurl this at a time when we had established some more rapport but this will have to do." She attaches a banner that reads "Bartleby Battleground's Emporium" to a longspear. Immediately, everyone feels a little bolder and stronger.
Then she ushers the horse to move out of everyone's way and summons four air elementals. Xerxes bows and puffs away from this plane.
Zen'Zot, who is not prepared for combat as that had not been something he felt would happen when acquiring the shop, moves and clambers upon the most sturdy table he can find and sends Woody to stand over by the door. He then readies himself but hopes that the summoned elementals will be more than sufficient.
"I recommend to simply not open the door."
Aldric moves into the building and takes a seat at Zen'zot's table "As I'm sure that someone might enjoy that information Mara, I simply couldn't care less. That is, unless they are hindering the productive growth of the city, the church, or society in general. In fact, I would venture to guess that some of them are useful in one way or another."
Aldric looks up at the Bartleby banner and laughs. "I can't believe you made a banner with that wretches name on it." He says while continuing to chuckle.
The orange cat on the witch's shoulder hops down and finds cover as far from the door as possible. For her part, the witch also moves back to stand near Zen'Zot but her gaze is quite focused on the door as if she is mentally readying herself.
"Open the door or break it down, let's deal with this."