Eugene wakes up from a deep sleep ...assets minus liabilities... own equity...
Ah Davros, it is you that rings the opening bell. Let us get on the way, for the day is long, and so is my position in this venture. Let's go!
Davros looks at his companions, seeing the assembled group and smiles.
Today is a good day.
"The Gods thanks be upon you all. The first thing, I must commission proper Qadiran blade. Something more el-ee-gant! Would you permit me to lead us on a jour-knee to purchase said item?"
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Bleary eyes try to blink the blur of too much reading away. Ink-stained fingers fumble a bit as the half-elf checks his "time to do something - gear - pack, vest, dagger, armor, water skin, tools, dagger, quiver, arrows, and, yes, his most valued bow.
It takes a while, formerly practiced hands trying to re-acquaint himself with his more usual acitivities, sighing "Weapons, armor, gear should be second nature." With a start he makes sure his book is tucked safely away, before returning to his gear.
His slightly pointed ears perk as he thinks he hears something, and he scowls at Zilch. "'Ayep?' Yeah. Right. Um, whatever. " Ahhh, the scalebrain prattles. I miss re-calculating the formulae from my tome already.
"Ok. Venture." Time to concentrate again on those things that the Lady and these oh-so-helpful-and-competent ones need someone like me for.
Of course, Davros, you're hitting my core business there. I will accompany you to this metallurgic enterprise.
Davros tries to seem bigger than life and adopts an air that he has seen from the merchants in Katheer.
"Baccus! My friend, eet is good to be seen. We have indeed survived our jour-knee against the kobolts. This day finds you well, no? I am looking for a dooling blade - thin, sharp point, light of weight and quality! We are no here to save the town from rats, you know? Something that I will be proud to point to your maker's-mark and say - thees? Oh, thees is from the best smith in all of Imperial Taldor, Baccus o' the Blades from Belhaim, you have herd of heem, no? He armed Zeelchoos de Scalebane, Aodan of the Woods and all of the Belhaim Heroes. Yes, thees is what I want, you can help me, no?"
Zilchus catches up to the team at the smithy, scratching his balls before tearing his morning bread loaf in half.
"Another day, more tales to be told about me," Zilch says, biting into his bread. He walks by Davros, looking over the man's prospective purchases. "Oh yeah, if you're going to fight like me, you're going to need a nice weapon. You can't kill dragons without a good blade."
Zilch isn't going to buy anything, but looks over the goods, dropping bread crumbs here and there.
Zilch walks around the shop, examining the goods still.
"We going into that manor today, are we? Whatcha think is inside, Aodan?"
Based on the compensation of this mission, the manor's total value is considerable. All the more trust based in us to keep the value that way.
"All the more trust based in us to keep the value that way."
Zilch easily agrees with Eugene.
"Oh yeah, if you want to be a hero like me, you're going to want to be good, and noble, and honest, like me," Zilch says, stuffing the last of his loaf in his mouth. "Heroes and dragonslayers need to keep on the side of good if they are going to succeed. You gotta have a noble heart and stuff."
Zilch looks around, ready to get into the manor.
"Yeah, Eugene, you and me are men of honor and stuff. Uh huh."
Zilch scratches the back of his neck.
"Well after your last visit I took a little time a the forge." The blacksmith goes into the back to retrieve a bundle wrapped in cloth. "I think you'll like the results." He says as he reveals a masterly crafted scimitar.
"Most excellent, my friend. Your skill are unparalleled! Good. Nice weight. Perfect. Thank you!"
Davros pays the smith and returns to his friends.
"So, genteel-men, where does Desna's blessing take us this day? I am still with the fog of sleep and the Taldan swill coffee is no strong enough to knock loose the cobwebs. We need to talk to the girl's father, no?"
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If there is time, Aodan will pick up or commision an item or two (Cold Iron arrow tips, dagger) from the smith (if Baacus works with that material).
"Yeah. The manor. Hopefully arcane stuff." The treacherous wizard was a practitioner of the ancient Elven arts, so I'm certain his abode will contain very useful and education items.
He looks over to Davros. "Interesting, right?" You've proven trustworthy so far, Qadiran, but will foreign intrigue fly if we both covet the knowledge that was Hunclays? "So, ummm, yeah. Kinda eager to get into Hunclay's."
"We need to talk to the girl's father, no?"
"Or that."
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"Lots of fey, huh?" I knew there was a reason I liked this end of the empire better than the other. "Better than Qadirans."
Speaking of which, this Qadiran is probably correct. The half-elf sighs. Again.
"Yeah, gals' father never paid us, right?" This is becoming a bad habit, agreeing with an easterner. "Davros is right." The words don't stick in his craw as much as he thought they would.
"Can't pass up when money is owed us." Or maybe he's just right about money? That's a Qadiran thing, right? "Always get the coin first, then check out the manor."
Zilchus yawns, scratching his armpit. He leans on his trusty longspear, the only thing he needs to slay many dragons almost singlehandedly.
"Yeah, we should get the money that is owned to us lest people think that we're not open to reward when I'm being heroic," Zilch says. "And I need to be able to pay historians like Darkrose here to write up all the deeds I do."
Zilch is ready to go collect the monies or go to Hunclay's.
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Eugene waits patiently for the trio to conclude their business. Throughout, he stands guard and oversees transactions, ensuring - trying at least - that trade is fair.
Davros is your historian? Eugene picks up on a comment by Zilch. What a worthy trade. Tell me, Davros, what experience do you have in story-writing?
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Aodan looks at the zealous warrior and chuckles in response to his question to Davros. "He's got plenty of experience in hearing 'em." We all do. Nodding at Zilch. Seemingly over and over again. Or maybe just each one once, but that seems to be more than enough.
"Tales and stuff." Tall ones. Rather tall ones.
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Returning the the dairy farm the heroes each receive a hug from the girls mother as she is over joyed with the return of her daughter. She then gets the money as promised, "We scraped it together and while it will be missed out daughter is worth a lot more. Thank you again for sending her back to us."
Nothing much has changed since you last checked on Hunclay's home. In fact the charred kobold corpse is still laying in front of the door, only it's a bit more smelly since it's been here a few days. Someone tries the door again and finds it is still locked.
Davros sighs and rolls his eyes, "I am scribe no historian. Devoted to the arcane studies. Zeel-choos has asked me to write his story and I reluctantly agreed. You'll soon come to an understanding about the world according to Zeel-choos. What about you? You are a Abadaran, no? What is it about you that was called to be devoted to just one god?"
Oh, Eugene reacts to Davros' question on religion I.. eh.. he stammers briefly, then recovers it was a sign, at birth. Both me and my twin brother, we were born with the same markings at birth.
Venedikt, the idiot.
Our parents.. he says, then cuts that flow off, I returned to my roots in Irrisen to be trained as a champion of Abadar he continues, as if that explains anything, and I have been protecting the lifestyles of people all around Golarion ever since.
Zilch listens to the two men speak, not having much to add.
"Protecting the lifestyles?" Zilch asks. "That's an interesting turn of phrase. What does that mean?"
Zilch is ready to go to Hunclay's.
Protecting the free flow of trade, as well as the benefits gained from it. Eugene explains. My order adds value by protecting the style of life of those who would be threatened.
A drop of sweat flows down Eugene's brow.
"Well then Yoo-geen, your presence has already added value to this world and by extension to us!" Davros says with a friendly shoulder-check to Eugene.
"Look! Up ahead. Is that Hunclay's?"
There. The book must be in there!
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Excited by what may lie within, but also wary, Aodan scans the door and checks for any locking mechanism, and further dangers.
"Could try and pick the lock, but don' wanna to end like the scaley one, here."
If he can spot the lock within seeing any obvious danger, he'll try to open it.
He addresses the other three before getting too involved.
"Might want to stand back."
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Aodan checks the door for traps and does not find anything. I appears that if there was a trap here the kobold arleady took care of it for you...the hard way. As Aodan takes out his tools to try and fail to pick the lock he can't help but feel foolish, like he is missing something really obvious that could get him inside.
Zilch uses the key to open the door after Aodan finishes failing...the keys they found in the old man in the rubble.
"That's okay, Aodan. I got this."
After the door open, Zilch looks at Davros.
"You should be writing that down. Zilch opens doors. Yeah, stick with me and doors open."
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The half-elf curses as he tries to get the door unlocked. 'Tis a simple mechanism, is it not? Manipulating the tumblers should not be too much of a chore. "Wait. I think jus' need to flip..." He scrunches his eyes, bites his tongue, and concentrates hard, slipping the pick into the breach just this way, then that way, sure he can get it.
Frustrated, he suddenly flashes a bit pale as Zilch uses the keys from Hunclay's corpose, looking sheepishly at Davros and the zealous one.
Oh wonderful. Such a very astute way to demonstrate the superiority of noble Taldan expertise in immediate view of the Empire's rivals. In front of a bloody Qadiran!
"Yeah. Um. Thanks."
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Zilchus opens the door to see the floor of this well appointed entry hall is adorned with two expensive Qadiran rugs and decorated with several overstuffed leather sofas. Two dozen paintings with gilded frames hang on the walls, portaits and landscapes, all of exquisite artistry. To the north sits a large bird cage. Wooden doors open in the east and west walls, and an elaborate spiral staircase of iron both ascends and descends in the southeast corner.
Before they can take a step inside a voice calls out from behind them. "Ell I be, you done had this here key da whole time." Deputy Geris grins at the heroes as he approaches. "Orders from the baroness, gotta search yall before ya can go inside. So I'll be makin this easy on every one, just be dumping out your bags so I's can see whatca got. Then we do this fore ya leave. Oh and don't go gettin no funny ideas bout dropin things out no windows neither. I'll be patrolin the grounds lookin for anythin yall might be trying to smuggle out."
While I appreciate your vigilance, Eugene starts, I should fill you in on the fact that our presence was requested by said baroness, and our compliance ensured by the bilateral agreement underwritten the day before today. Thus, any breach in compliance would, for this group, have more severe operational issues than 'seeing watcha got'.
Coming to a crescendo, Eugene concludes I vouch for my clients in the name of the holy order of Abadar, protector of trade and capital assets.
Zilch flinches at the voice from behind him.
"Yeah. My word is my bond. I told her I wouldn't steal nothin' and I ain't going to steal nothin'. That's what the contract said."
Zilch worries about his backpack.
Ain't nobody seeing what's in my backpack. It's *my* backpack.
Foreigner. Stranger. Slave. Qadiran. Why do I get the feeling that someone - who am I kidding the local 'nobility' - will try to pin something on me? Crap! Time to enlist help. Eugene - he is the logical choice as a clergyman. Zilchus - would defend me as long as there was profit or glory or women or a song to be composed. Aodan... *sigh* Aodan is the best choice because if I am false with him I know he would have no problem putting me to the sword. Time to reach out...
"Uh, moment please."
Davros turns to Aodan, "يمكنني أن أثق بك لمراقبة الإجراءات وللتأكد من أنني لست اتهم ظلما بسرقة؟
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Deputy Geris gives Eugene a funny looks as divine warrior tries to explain the situation. "Yup, baroness said ya might have some big fancy words bout it. Thing is this here is part of the contract." He goes about inspecting Eugene and Davros' things just nodding or grunting. He looks over at ZIlchus "You too bud, lets see what is in the bag."
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The Qadiran's question catches the half-elf a bit off guard. He thinks for a moment, going over his encounters with the easterner. A Qadiran slave asking for and respecting my oversight? Maybe all isn't wrong with the world after all...
"نعم، شرف لي، وأنا لن أراك اتهمت ظلما."
He eyes the deputy for just a moment. One with my heritage, submitting to this one? O.k., I guess the world is back to its untoward tilt.
Remembering the contract, he decides to comply with the yokel's request, slowly and carefully opening his bags, handling his own book and scrivener's accessories with extra care.
"Yeah. My stuff. Got it?"
He looks over to Zilchus. "If ya' don't, then whatever's in your bag might be grabbed when ya' come out, ya' know?" The Lady seemed honorable enough, if a bit obsessed with rules. But one never knows who might use our exit as an excuse to seize one's personal possessions. I would not rely on honor from one as rough as the deputy.
Zilchus groans, taking off his backpack.
"If you want to see what's in *my* backpack that only has *my* stuff in it, you'll have to do it in private, Jack!" Zilch huffs, annoyed by the jerkyjerk.
"Come over here beside the house and you can take your look there," Zilch counteroffers while giving everyone else a suspicious look.
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"No git fore I change my mind."
Wanting to put some distance between his companions and the local, and to occupy his mind on something other than what is in Zilch's pack, Aodan pushes the door open and looks inside.
"Ready gents?" He knocks an arrow in his bow, stepping forward and peering into the manor.
Eugene only speaks a simple few words of Kellish
لا تفهم
Not understand!
Seeing Aodan take the fore-front, Eugene is eager to follow The floor is yours!
Zilch puts his backpack back on and levels everyone with a suspicious eye.
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Zilch follows Aodan, then Eugene, then Davros into the manor. His longspear is in his left hand and his right is free to pick up and examine objects put them back in, usually, the same room.
Zilch is a curious chap. And alert too. Totally alert.
Perception
Zilch looks around for some bird feed, nuts, or the like around for which to feed the birds. If there is a water dish, he will replenish.
"Hey, look what I found...birds!"
Know (Nature)
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HP 21/21|AC: 15/T:13/FF:12|F:+3/R:+5/W:+3|CMB+3|CMD +16|Speed 30|Int.+3|Perc.+7|S.M.+0
Aodan moves into the room, taking a quick look at the door on the west, before slipping slowly up the side, his eyes scanning the room, but most of his attention on the birds.
"Colors, huh? Got anything like 'em in Qadira?" All kinds of exotic things in the East, right?
Birds? How long has this place been standing empty for? I sure hope they have been fed.
Eugene trying to be alert as well, but the sound of the animals is just too distracting. Look at the colors!
Brave and noble Ser Zilchus rummages around in his backpack for his merchant's scales, careful not to allow others to peek within. Pulling out his scale, he places the bird on it, one at a time, to determine their weight (after all chicks sell for more than old fatties).
Appraise
"Oh yeah, don't got to be one of them stuffy, greedy merchant types to appreciate a good scale, eh, Aodan?" Zilch says, manhandling each bird in turn. He blows loose and lost feathers onto the floor.
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The noble-born half-elf looks down his nose at the decidedly pedestrian, merchant-focused device. "Yeah, stewards too." And Qadirans, if common stories about the foreigners were true. He glances over at Eugene. "And bankers." Money lenders focus on such mundane matters, too, correct?
"Think da' birds were his familiars? Don' think wizards usually have more than one." At least, the book seemed to discuss just one, special animal for a mage.
"Davros, could he've traded east for da' birds?" Perhaps to show visitors his opulence and wealth?
Aodan scans around what appears to be a reception hall, not expecting much interesting in here, but double-checking none the less.
The proof is in the pudding. Eugene says there is therefore wisdom in enabling oneself to correctly weigh and assess the value of the pudding.
Bankers, indeed. How often does one have a gold coin that turns out to be less than a gold coin, merely because someone arbitraged away an edge or a sliver of gold? It's a return investment for one person, but a compromise on assets for the next. Eugene continues, trying to make as little sense as possible.
Eugene is happy for now that no threats to free trade emerge, and is ready to move on as soon as business is finished here.
"Davros, could he've traded east for da' birds?"
"It is possible. My knowledge of Hunclay comes from my Mistress and most of what I know concerns the, eh, esoteric. Perhaps it is as a show of wealth? Eh, pray wait a moment. Let us remember that this is the house of an wielder of the Arcane Arts. Things may no always be as seemple as they seem. We should be cautious." Davros says as he cautiously enters the foyer. Concentrating on his surroundings Davros' consciousness reaches out to the elements in the room and tests their nature.
"تبين لي الحقيقة ."