Finally in the mostly empty shop of Eodred's Walk, you find a dealer and crafter of magical artifacts. He is a small gnomish man wiht a long, hooked nose and small gold-rimmed spectacles perched precariously on the end. He has long white hair and bulbous round ears under a small cap.
"Fizziwig, crafter of magical items, at your service. What is it you wish to procure or have made? The more wondrous the better, eh?"
Billi shows the hand crossbow and the key dagger with magic runes on them and explains "We have a war axe and a pole arm we need these runes transferred to. These larger weapons would be of much more use to us magicked than the ones we have magicked now. I much trust this service to a fellow earth creature these trying days. We also would like to purchase some plate armor if you have any or know of someone who does."
Coming up a little under 7 gold pieces short for plate armor, Billi asks Sable for a loan of 7 gold pieces.
"Let the pretty Sable keep her gold, my good dwarf," Perivolt says with a wink to the bard. "You can have some of mine."
Sable does wish that Billi had been a little more subtle before showing off a dagger that may remind the gnome of a serial killer, they would have had to show it at some point anyway, so she doesn't say anything about that.
But, she does chuckle at Perivolt as he loans Billi money. "Are you sure you won't be cut off after today?" she jokes as she looks around the store.
Billi thanks Perivolt profusely. Accepting the loan and bowing.
"I thank you. It shall be a loan as it appears your best chances of financial success are with this lot."
Billi points to the rest of the group.
"I am sure there is much more wealth to find as adventurers than studying or teaching in a fancy magic school. We will show them how much we can do. A wise man once said --All who wander are not lost and all that is gold does not glitter!"
"I'm afraid I have little I want or need at this time that I can personally think of. The idea of our warriors armoring up makes sense in protecting us all."
|
Talindra is quiet through most of the exchange, reflecting on the events earlier that day and the night before... the long night before. It's been a lot to process for her, a lot to process on her own. You can't do this alone. The fortress that attempts to stand alone is the first to fail.
"Yes, indeed", she agrees with Billi and Lenrelle, nodding, almost like Shelyn had put the words in the their mouths to reinforce the lesson. "Lenrelle, perhaps some healing potions would be a wise investment? I don't doubt your demonstrated skills as a healer, of course, but a long day can exhaust your magical energies, and it's great to have a backup."
The gnome magician listens to Billi's request earnestly, and starts to say, "I can easily move those if you've..." and then when he seys the key-bladed dagger, his words stop and he looks from the weapon to the dwarf and then back at the weapon.
"I am afraid, sir, that I cannot help you with...that," his eyes point to the dagger again with some distaste evident on you his face. "There may be some who would in Korvosa, but I run an honest shop and will not trade in such...things." He takes the handcross bow and examines the rune carefully, trying to forget about the other thing.
There is an armory and weaponry store also located in Eodred's Walk, so finding plate is easy enough. And with a small loan from Perivolt, Billi has some new, shiny armor.
"You're right, of course, given how quickly we went through the healing recently." She nods at Talindra
Billi puts the key dagger away and pays for the rune to be moved to Talindra's glaive from the hand crossbow as she has been so generous to the orphans.
Fizziwig sets to work copying the rune from the hand crossbow onto parchment, muttering and making some arcane motions. While he does so, he says, without looking up. "Might want to be discrete with that other thing. There are certain people who aren't as understanding as old Fizziwig, you follow? Might end in front of a magistrate, or worse if the wrong folks see that. I am just suggesting caution for you own good you understand."
He looks up at the dwarf over the rims of his small spectacles, making sure you follow him. "And if its healing potions you are seeking, I have some to part with, and perhaps could make more as you see fit to order." He motions to a shelf where 4 vials sit in a leather holder.
"Can't be to careful these days, you know? All sorts of unsavory types out there trying to capitalize on the unrest. Thieves, anarchists, wererats, and even cultists of the goddess of undeath are plotting in the shadows, I hear. What news do you bring?"
"Well, the imps are being especially aggressive." She says, "probably emboldened by the troubles you mentioned." She looks over the potions in question "How much?"
"These are moderately powerful healing elixirs," says the gnome without looking up. "I can make 2 more overnight, or more of the less useful version, but you'd have to pay in advance for them."
There are some other magic trinkets scattered here and there in the shop, along with parchment and ink for scribing, as well spell casting components as needed.
Lenrelle looks at the eight gold she started with and blushes. She's been neglecting this looting bit. Oh here it is, the remainder that is hers. That'll leave her with seven gold if she buys as is. "Don't suppose You'd give me a slight discount? The healer you provide to today might be able to help someone you know more tomorrow."
Not the best haggler, Lenrelle isn't from a rich family so naturally she isn't the worst either.
Despite her efforts to be extra charming, the cleric ends up paying full price for both potions. She's gracious about it. These are hard and uncertain times for merchants too.
The gnome tinkerer finishes applying the magical rune to Talindra's weapon, and then cashes out 24hp from Lenrelle in exchange for 2 of the lesser healing potions.
"Is there anything else I can do for you folks?" he asks cocking a furry eyebrow at you somewhat comically. "And yes, I am aware of the imps acting up lately. Blasted Academe students summon them here, and then let them loose. Someone really ought to clean them up. Between that and the monsters in the sewers, this place is becoming downright unlivable, eh?"
"If you don't mind me asking, what monsters in the sewers? What can you tell us about them?" Sable asks.
Billi tucks the controversial dagger away for later. Eventually they would find someone to move the rune.
"There's always hope, sir." She assures
Fizziwig sighs before answering Sable's question. "What isn't living down there, lass? Wererats, blue goblin things, giant smelly monsters with long tentacles and sharp teet. I have even heard there are vampires in the sewers who come up and suck blood of the unwary at night. I've not seen them myself, mind you, but that's what the people say..." He sighs again, realizing he sounds a bit crazy in the process.
"Anything else then? IF not, I thank you for your business, and am alsways interested in buying, selling or trading for magic items. Some may take a few days to procure or prepare, you understand. Also, interested in any news to share, even if its just wives' tales."
|
|
Talindra clutches her new holy symbol instinctively as Fizziwig details the horrors of the sewers. "For all the horrors you describe, I think I'll take my chances on the streets! I had no idea things had gotten so dire here. They may be just rumors, but there's always a kernel of truth--however far-removed--from every rumor. Thank thee kindly for the warning regardless--and thank you for your business!" She takes a moment to examine her freshly-upgraded glaive, appreciating the magically-improved balance and weight.
"I don't think we have anything further, do we? Regardless, I'm going to want to hold onto my coins for now, who knows what's going to happen next. And--of course--thank you all, each one of you, for letting me upgrade my glaive. You've shown faith in me today, faith that shall be repaid in my efforts to keep you all safe. You have my word." She says this as she makes eye contact with each person individually, saying these words with a slow, serious tone to convey their weight.
Billi follows up on his pledge to take Sable to learn from the disreputable kind in Korvosa. Maybe they could handle the controversial dagger rune problem.
Billi’s new cat follows him around.
Perivolt is amenable to wherever the team would like to go until they can safely approach Castle Korvosa. He feels he owes it to them after having to see from what a loving and supportive family he comes.
"I don't think we have anything further, do we? Regardless, I'm going to want to hold onto my coins for now, who knows what's going to happen next. And--of course--thank you all, each one of you, for letting me upgrade my glaive. You've shown faith in me today, faith that shall be repaid in my efforts to keep you all safe. You have my word." She says this as she makes eye contact with each person individually, saying these words with a slow, serious tone to convey their weight.
"Oh." Lenrelle just wants to give her friend a hug for that, "I seem to recall you've kept a lot of us alive already, not that I want you to stop. You've been wonderful." A look at the others "Where to next? Temples or more shopping or?"
Billi nods and follows Lenrelle.
|
|
The elf's face lights up when Lenrelle mentions the temples. "Well, yes, if that's what people want to do, I definitely want to see how the temples are doing! I've been quite worried since everything started last night--worried about the people and the buildings as well. The people matter most, of course, but it's the buildings that people think of, it's the actual space that people gather around." Her shoulders relax, no longer perilously close to her ears. Even if they're in a shambles, Talindra feels confident she can fix that. The politicking in the rest of the city, the horrors rumored to dwell underneath it, those may elude her or resist her attempts to tame them, but rebuilding a temple she feels confident about.
Unless others say other wise, Lenrelle heads towards which ever temple is closer out of Sarenrae's or Shelyn's. "I know what you mean. A proper temple can inspire and comfort."
"What makes a proper temple, though?" asks Sable. "It's not meant to be a snippy question. I'm not religious, and I'm just curious about how it is decided if one is proper or not."
As the group walks, Sable is constantly looking around, and up, not just in case of imps, but in case of crazy prophets, looters, or anything else out of the ordinary.
She ponders this question for a moment, "mmm that's a fair question. As Talindra says, it's the people that matter most. The grandest temple in a country is rather sad if it has hypocrites and pretenders to the faith only in it. Where as a shack with true hearted believers is far more pleasing to the gods. However, traditionally, a proper temple is consecrated, it is designed to be big enough for it's congregation to make them feel welcome, but also makes them feels safe and secure its walls. It should try to reflect the nature and interest of the god or goddess it honor. For example, a Temple of Sarenrae, where it positions to the Dawn is far more important than it would be for ... say a temple dedicated to Erastil. A temple to Desna might have a part of it that's open to the sky for star watching. I can't speak for others, but it helps me when I'm in the temple and I feel constant reminders my goddess is in her power and her love is warm. I SHOULD Know that without a temple, and I hope I do, but we all could use a little assist now and then even if it's only a building that helps one imagine the full glory of his or her god."
|
|
Talindra's stride slows as she ponders the question, head slightly tilted, brows slightly furrowed. "What a lovely question! Lenrelle, as always, has a wise perspective. I'm not as eloquent as she is, of course, but... it's where I feel at home. I can go to any temple of Shelyn--anywhere in the world--and things are familiar. I know how things work, more or less. I know the schedule, I know where things are. And that helps me feel less anxious. I hope that helps, the words just kinda spilled out there!"
As the group discuss their next move, a frazzled looking alley-cat comes up to them, and begins nuzzling against the plate boots worn by Billi. One ear is a bit torn, and it has patches of fur missing as if it had been in a scrape or two recently itself. One of the shopkeepers calls out, "Be doin' us a favor if you take that mangy cat wit' you. Always getting into things around here, and causing trouble. I started calling it Ileosa, after the Queen, but I don't reckon if its a boy 'r a girl, just a trouble-making stray with no sense, if you take my meanin'"
Talindra begins leading the others northwards, towards where the Sanctuary of Shelyn lies. It is housed in North Point, the site of the first founding of the city by Chelish settlers long ago. North Point is also the seat of the cities municipal government, where the courts, city hall, and many other government offices are housed. The Sanctuary lies in a more residential, and mildly affluent, area called Five Corners, many government functionaries and politicians make their homes here.
As you move north, you cross through the docks and warehouses of the cities east side, and you find more and more unhappy citizens are out in the streets. Usually in small groups, but there are a few groups that might be classified as small mobs of a dozen or more. They burn figures that might have once been Queen Ileosa in effigy, or chant 'Down with the Queen' or 'Fight the monarch' or other such slogans in rough and angry voices. Many seem intoxicated, though whether by liquor or the ferocity of the mob is hard to say.
Here and there officers of the Korvosan Guard break up the people and try their best to disperse and quell any trouble before it really begins, but the Guardsmen you see are tired and weary, and even in peak shape, its clear there are too few of them, and too many discontented people.
You are just leaving the docks, when angry shouts break out in front of you, and it appears a group of 8-10 lower class people have another man, who is dressed in fine robes and displaying clear signs of wealth, surrounded and berating him. "Queen's Man!" shouts one. "Bet he's never worked a day in his dandy life!" shouts another. Several in the group are armed, though only with makeshift weapons like shovels, pitchforks and the like.
No blows have fallen yet, but its clear that the nobleman is in some trouble if things don't change.
As the group sees the situation, Sable takes a deep breath and mutters some words, and then she steps forward to address the men, her hands held out and away from her body.
"What are you doing? How are you helping? He's Korvosan. Like you. Like me. Look around at our city. Is this what you want? For fear and war and violence and death to be all over our streets? Why aren't you home taking care of your families? Why aren't you helping people who were hurt last night? Leave this man alone and go home!"
Billi steps up next to Sable ready to act. Although his shield is drawn, he has no weapons in hand. His new cat moves protectively just in front of him. Although not treated kindly by Korvosa, the cat just looks curiously at the scene. Very unsure of human dynamics, she just watched with interest.
Lenrelle was giving the cat a curious glance, but then they come onto the scene. It is worse than she imagined. The anger of the city brimming over. Is this the avalanche we were warned about?
"What are you doing? How are you helping? He's Korvosan. Like you. Like me. Look around at our city. Is this what you want? For fear and war and violence and death to be all over our streets? Why aren't you home taking care of your families? Why aren't you helping people who were hurt last night? Leave this man alone and go home!"
Sable's words ring true, and Lenrelle joins her "I've seen both sides of nobles, some are rather entitled, others feel the obligation of their station and strive to help. But you can't tell which is what just by who is wearing what clothes! Sable is right. Your families need you. Your neighbors need you. Blind fury does nothing to fix anything. Some hurt more, some hurt less, and it is an unfair world, but you can't lash out hoping to hit something or someone and make them feel pain too. It just lessens you in return. We can be better than that."
Perivolt tries to get a better view of the victim of the mob's ire. Do I know him?
"Friends, countrymen!" Perivolt announces. "Please listen to these wise and upstanding ladies." Perivolt lays a hand on Lenrelle's shoulder and waves his other in the direction of Sable including Talindra in the sweep, so the mob's eyes are drawn to her holy symbols. "If you have a grievance, let's discuss. What has this man done which deserves justice? Perhaps we can find a way to redress your concerns that keeps more of our city intact with less destruction. There are already months of rebuilding ahead of us now."
Sable spins up a quick cantrip to try to read the situation and impact the citizens as best she can.
Sable tries to get the mob to recall their own families instead of taking violence out on this man. A burly woman with greasy strings of hair framing her rotund face jeers and address the fallen nobleman in a booming voice:"Bet'cha never worked an honest day's wages in your life, eh Queen's Man! She says family, but M'brother had his arm crushed by a barrel on the docks when he was younger than you. Never raised a mug of ale with that wrist again. Wanna see wot it feels like?" She raises a thick cudgel ready to brain the poor man. The crowd roars approval and seems ready to attack as well.
The mob basically ignores Perivolt, but when Lenrelle speaks dispensing wisdom, the mob stops for a moment. That moment proves to be critical, because in small groups of 1 or 2, they slowly back away from the dandy. They lower their weapons and voices and begin to disperse. Soon only the rotund woman remains, and her mob-inspired fury seems to have cooled somewhat. She drops the heavy stave of wood at her feet and shuffles off muttering angrily to herself.
Sable beams a smile to Lenrelle, and then turns to the man.
"It's not the time to be out and about flashing your wealth. Next time, there might not be people like us willing to step in and try to save you. You need to get home, too, and if you come out again, dress down, at least for now."
Billi nods and says
"I didn't want to fight them either. I am so happy you got them to leave this one alone."
He follows Sable to the temple.
Lenrelle's breath catches as the woman raises the club, but is glad her words join with Sable's to remind the people of their better selves and they break apart gradually, finding their better selves rather than their bitter selves.
Sable beams a smile to Lenrelle, and then turns to the man.
Lenrelle smiles back, a smile of relief and yes, satisfaction at team work for a good cause.
"It's not the time to be out and about flashing your wealth. Next time, there might not be people like us willing to step in and try to save you. You need to get home, too, and if you come out again, dress down, at least for now."
Lenrelle's advice is simple, "You may resent this near call, that would be quite normal, but I hope you don't let it make you hateful to folks who are feeling the blinding lash of desperation. Every one wants things to be simple, unfortunately sometimes that means we seek targets when we should be reaching out to each other in trying times."
Then she resumes their trip to Shelyn's temple
The noble man stands up and dusts himself off. "These is dressing down," he says, shaking his head in wonder and amazement. "Thank you for assisting me. I can't believe the mob almost did me in." He seems a little dazed from the experience.
"My name is Amin Jalento. Well met all!" He pulls a gold ring from his finger and offers to you with an open hand. "I must thank you for your intervention. Take this ring. It has the sigil of my house on it, and if ever you need a favor, call on me and present it. I will be in your debt until then." He nods and smiles sheepishly, hoping you will accept.
Sable smiles and takes the ring. "We were happy to help. Be safe." she says.
"These is dressing down."
Perivolt shakes his head. "No, friend. Gold and jewels are always dressing up. If you can afford that," the wizard points to the jewel adorned rapier, "then you can afford a common, less ostentatious version of the same. Likely it will be better balanced as well. And if you're wearing anything on your hands aside from gloves, you should have a bodyguard with you to walk these streets."
The nobleman winks at Amin Jalento not admitting to his own upbringing because if the man can't tell then Perivolt is definitely succeeding where Jalento is failing.
|
|
Talindra was quiet, tense during the encounter, a bit paralyzed with uncertainty at how to dispel the situation. Ever grateful for her more eloquent companions, she lets out the breath she was holding, her grip on her glaive slightly relaxing.
"My companions are wise; it's best you get where you're going. Maybe take some back streets to avoid getting caught up again."
Then, turning to her companions, particularly Sable and Lenrell, "Thank you. I was so worried this was going to turn into a very ugly fight. Shall we continue to the temples? Hopefully there won't be any fights between the rich and the poor within the holy walls." With this, she resumes the walk there herself, not waiting for a response but not walking especially quickly, either.
Billi speaks up as they walk:
"Well done!! My skills are mostly limited to fighting, but getting out of fights is often more important than how you handle the fights you are in."
Talindra, Sable, and Lenrelle are keeping us out of trouble.
Lenrelle nods to Amin Jalento, though she really thinks if that is the man's idea of dressing down he might need a PEACEFUL dose of the real world.
"My companions are wise; it's best you get where you're going. Maybe take some back streets to avoid getting caught up again."
Then, turning to her companions, particularly Sable and Lenrell, "Thank you. I was so worried this was going to turn into a very ugly fight. Shall we continue to the temples? Hopefully there won't be any fights between the rich and the poor within the holy walls." With this, she resumes the walk there herself, not waiting for a response but not walking especially quickly, either.
"From your lips to goodly gods' ears" And she follows her friend.