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In response, the Metal giant waves his hands in a jazzy fashion as if to mime "ta-dah".
It then begins to unfurl the clenched parchment and turns it to Righty so that he may see it. On the scroll are the pictures of three individuals, one of which is the spitting image of Righty.
Also on the scroll is a list that reads as follows:
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__Inventory sheet__
Please initial, each item, and sign, date and circle the employee of the one whom accepted the goods.
Payment for transport is not to be by you, Mr. Righty, but from he whom originally tasked us. And as for payment of the goods, Ralph has given lax in payment out three Oathdays to repay him the previously agreed-upon pricing. Its his way to make up for the loss of your business that transpired from the last theft.
Stuf's accent is regal like that of a king's personal servant.
Now if we could get the assistance of someone small in stature, we could begin unloading the goods. Is this the preferred location?
Stuff then slithers out of the mouth and coils himself to the monstrosity's pauldron.
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Pressing its knuckles against the floorboards, the monstrosity bows. At the same time the chubby face lifts up like one would expect from a great helm's visor, the image of this is a bit unsettling since the monstrosity's smiling face shouldn't accompany what is akin to a slow-motion partial-decapitation.
Only slightly visible inside of the armor's neck hole is a Jug wrapped in a blanket.
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"Stolen.... A furious "non elven" expression crosses the Marquis's face. Then passes..." the elf's clothing shifts from his regal attire into dark leather armor with a green
"Your employer has chosen his teamster well. You are a member of the appropriate guild correct?"
"I will have this looked into. I have a mission coming up or I would have a pointed discussion with the procurer. Perhaps it will be cleared up before my return. Your employer may collect the payment for this and the prior shipment at the glade. No delay is necessary. You may deliver at our stock room," the elf indicates a side door to the bar with a servant waiting to receive the goods.
Righty accepts the scroll and sends it floating to a waiting servant. He signs the payment note.
"I thank you for your service." The regal attire returns as the elf bows deeply to you.
...Stuf continues to orate.
My master does not have the lofty heritage of one worthy of membership in the Sovereign Court, but by way of his broad-ranging excursions and his service of several peoples of status from foreign lands, Adhura Snuf has earned high accolades from within The Exchange. I can only say that we aspire to exceed the expectations of both your fine breeding and establishment.
Our delivery restriction, unfortunately still stands. Since Snuf cannot produce animus of two bodies simultaneously, and dropping possession of theProject before you could potentially damage the cargo within, we must make a request: Do you either have a little person in your employ or if you would be okay with it, may we enlist the assistance of a patron - one willing to help extract the precious cargo, as well as be willing and able to climb within theProject? We need not discriminate race, but small is crucial.
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Giving an elaborate sigh, that anyone who has raised children will recognize, the "child" hands Katisha the small rag doll she has been holding, "Mrs. Patterson, you stay with the Kat until I get back, and behave now." She then trudges over to "Snuf Wheeler".
"So, what is it you need me to do? fit in someplace too small for grown ups?" she asks the construct.
Stuf turns his head the other direction so that his right eye can squint down from his perch at the would-be volunteer.
Snuf would like to know what the local laws are regarding children handling alcohol.
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If ever in history an amorphous asp and a fire-forged facade ever shared the same expression, it was now. Both the monstrosity's helmet head and the talking snakes raised their upper lips to reveal the tops of their upper teeth. Then the monstrosity, followed by the snake replaced those expressions with polite smiles.
The monstrosity then extended its arm towards the male volunteer followed by...
...Stuf slithering down the arm to rest in the palm-up gauntlet. Then, with the flick of his tongue, Stuf tastes the air that lingers around Acrosto.
You two, please follow us to the back room.
Stuf, pointing with his tail, picks out the two volunteers and the monstrosity transits to the room Righty pointed out. Once they all arrive, Stuf begins a short interrogation:
I will be asking a battery of questions to determine a suitable candidate. please answer honestly. I will also be using my ability to read your thoughts. If you do not wish to have your thoughts read, then please resign from this room. The questions I will be asking will be limited to the following:
Before we start please state if you have any objections.
The same questions will be presented to you, little girl.
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"I'm Acrosto."
"Since I was a boy." "Yeah, I had one or two with supper, but I'm good to work. Steady hands, that's me. I'll take that fancy pocketwatch apart to prove it if you like."
"Trying out for the Pathfinders."
"I reckon I can keep quiet if that's part of the job."
Stuf nearly falls off of the monstrosity's gauntlet. Still hanging upside down, Stuf says,
Thank you Acrosto. You may go. Please enjoy the night. Later we will treat you to an ale.
He then uprights himself and turns his attention to "Da Goblin", his eyes still temporaily glowing like ultra-violet lamps.
And what about you?
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...Stuf continues to orate.
[b]My master does not have the lofty heritage of one worthy of membership in the Sovereign Court, but by way of his broad-ranging excursions and his service of several peoples of status from foreign lands, Adhura Snuf has earned high accolades from within The Exchange. I can only say that we aspire to exceed the expectations of both your fine breeding and establishment.
You miss my meaning, the portage of goods is handled by two guilds within Absolom the porters and the teamsters. I hope you're a member of one of these.
Without losing focus. Stuf answers "Righty".
Snuf was a Teamsters first, and still is as well. The two group's agendas have yet to be in conflict. If it arises, we'll burn that bridge when we cross it.
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He then uprights himself and turns his attention to "Da Goblin", his eyes still temporaily glowing like ultra-violet lamps.
And what about you?
"Goodness me...." Once out of sight of the crowd in the common room, the 'little girl' appears to undergo a bit of a transformation. Though to all outward appearances she is the same creature, dressed in the same clothing, she now appears to be a halfling woman of surprising presence.
What is your name?
"I am not currently at liberty to reveal that information. On my current assignment I go by several names and titles. Lady Da' Goblin is most common at this time, in this location.
Have you been drinking?
Not in the fashion you are suggesting. Especially not while on assignment. It would likely react badly with several of the protective drugs I currently have in my system.
Please tell me what societies, factions or guilds you are a member of.
That information is not currently releaseable to the general public. Would you be willing to undergo a modify memory spell to remove it from your memory if I were to tell you?
Will you keep secret regarding what you might see within the armor which kneels before you?
More than likely, as long as it does not pertain to my current assignment. I would also be willing to cast and/or undergo a modify memory spell to remove anything I learned while in there from my memory. Though I will say, that procedure is likely to cause questions to be asked later, when it is discovered that I have cast it on myself.
"But perhaps it would be better if we just called my bodyguard in? Percy would certainly be willing to undertake this task - and as a Silver Crusade Paladin he is much more likely to be trustworthy to you than myself.
"Would you like me to call him in? He is right outside in the common room, likely worried as to my current condition".
With a sharp smile that shows her dimples off well, and a slight tilt of her head she seems to again become "the little grey girl" she was in the common room.
[ooc]edit: drat! Forgot to talk about the Detect thoughts.... Let's see. Will Save would be roll 12+11, so a 23? Do you crack thru her shield?[ooc]
Stuf inhales.
We are only interested in whether you have membership in one specific group. Do you also carry a "compass"?
His intonation implying compass might be referring to something else.
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Stuf inhales.
** spoiler omitted **
We are only interested in whether you have membership in one specific group. Do you carry a "compass"?
His intonation implying compass might be referring to something else.
She reachs into a small belt pouch - up to her elbow (deeper the the bottom of the pouch) and pulls out a Jade Wayfinder.
"Something like this? It doesn't shed light though..."
"I am a member of the Pathfinders, a part time Expedition Manager, though currently my field team is assigned to a dig in the Charn Lands just outside of town. I like to keep them close so I can easily review what the turn up."
And in a whisper "Is this a problem?"
Then in a normal voice, "Perhaps Percy would be the better choice for your task? The 'Bait' could easily send him in here to (finger quotes) check on the maid (end finger quotes) if you would like. And I can assure you he is trustworthy - much more so than me. (Big little girl smile again)".
On the contrary, that is a solution.
Righty, could you please escort in Ms. Da Goblin's bodyguard.
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On the contrary, that is a solution.
Righty, could you please escort in Ms. Da Goblin's bodyguard
"Oh that is unnecessary. I'll call him."
Then in a whisper "Percy, Code Green, stand down. Kat, could you find an excuse to send Percy to my location? And do try not to get yourself in trouble while we are distracted. I need his assistance for a few moment. B Fourty Seven."
Addressing Stuf again. "Will we need to modify his memory? Or would a paladin's Oath be enough?"
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In the Common Room, in a flash of firelight, Katisha swirls her cape up from the chair it was laid on and clips it back around her shoulders. Leaning back on the chair the fire seams to swirl around her upper body, almost clothing her in continual flame. All a performance (Dance) - this causes anyone seeing her to loose sight of Percy
Katisha looks around the room, her gaze settling on anyone who might have made the Will save and will call out to anyone who seems to have not been captivated - or failing that anyone who looks relatively wealth, "Tell me, what brings you out on such a chill evening? Perhaps you can terry a while at my table and we can entertain each other?"
His oath will do. And we better understand why you are protecting your thoughts. You see, sensing nothing meant you resisted. Yet, we are willing to take that risk. This could still work out of the best.
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Assuming someone opens the storeroom door (Da Goblin will if no one else does), Percy will stride into the room.
Percy takes a few rounds to look hard at each of the rooms inhabitants (including Lady Da Goblin).
He then smiles his "country boy" smile and asks, "Percy Footman, how might I be of service to you?"
You see before you a male halfling Fashionably Dressed, a dapper Halfling servant. Clearly an "Old Family Retainer", he is currently dressed in gleaming full plate armor and oddly seems to be carrying a human shield (tower shield for him).
A voice rings out from someplace unseen by Percy.
well... da Goblin has approved me to ask the following question
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Heraldry would be the family crest on his shield, which is that of a minor Cheliax house (Country Gentry of Northern Chel Wine country). Religious symbols would be a silver pin in the shape of a bow firing an arrow (Erastil). Sense motive would realize that he is not likely to strike an Evil creature down on sight... He is after all, a native son of Cheliax.
Assuming he is asked the same battery of questions - and after glancing to Da Goblin to receive a slight nod he responds.
What is your name?
"Percy Footman"
Have you been drinking?
"Ah, recently? No, not in the last hour or so.'
Please tell me what societies, factions or guilds you are a member of...
Pathfinder Society, Silver Crusade faction - though formally Cheliax, until the Paracountesss no longer spoke for my homeland. Ah... And a member of HouseHold Servants Local 433, though I am a bit behind on the dues for that...
Will you keep secret regarding what you might see within the armor which kneels before you?
Glancing again to Da Goblin... "As long as it does not compromise my Faith, Family or Country. Or is concealing major criminal acts.
Percy, you were requested here also to vouch for your charges character. Will you vouch that she will uphold her secrecy about what we are about to show her, so help you your god?
Then stuff slithers into view.
Stuf detects as evil. And, in expecting a paladin, immediately breaks into parley:
Dear Percy. Before you strike me down for my evil nature, all I ask is that... well... you don't. I can not help what I have done in my previous lives nor do I even recall them. But now I am in the bonded service of one Snuf Wheeler, a law-abiding gentleman who is anything but evil.
If you must know, I am currently trembling in my scales that you might dispatch me into my next life without me ever knowing what it is I did my previous. And yet my master, whose commands I sometime doubt, has requested you here before us as a sign of good faith.
Am I to die? My orders are to not fight back.
Stuf desperately attempts to spot Percy's heraldry and/or religious symbol, finds them, but is no less assured of the outcome.
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"Are you to die? Surely in time, all things die. Perhaps not today, and most likely not by my hand. To slay you would just return you to where you came from, to be summoned again, perhaps by something less controlling. No - bent to service, you are less likely to be a danger to others. So you are safe, for now, and perhaps in time you will be redeemed."
And our question regarding Ms. "Da Goblin"?
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Percy blinks in surprise.
"Ah, I would say there is no way I can state that. I have no idea what you are about to show her, and so cannot say what she would do with what she learns. I can say that if it does not pertain to our current assignment she is not likely to tell anyone about it. She's got more secrets locked up in that pretty little head of her's than... Well she has a lot of secrets. And I've never know her to blab. Heck, most of the time I get confused and think she's just a little human girl."
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[dice=Will]1d20+8
Marlowe catches his blades with a flourish and returns them to their sheaths, making a brief and comradely bow to the musicians.
Kat calls to Marlowe "Come, sit with me and tell me the story of where you learned the Knife Dance. My cousin Jane knows the Dance of Knives, but she learned it in Katheer." She swirls the brandy in her sniffer, and holds the glass to her bosom to warm it, breathing the fragrance in. Aside to an empty space beside her "Jeeves, get the gentleman's chair for him" and the chair to her right slides out from the table.
Stuf drops his head.
My master may have a solution, but this may take a while. Please continue with your dinner and drinks. We will depart to retrieve a tool and will return before this establishment closes tonight. Now, Scoot. scoot!
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"Willingly, but I'm sorry to say that I may not be able to answer all that you ask with certainty. My memories are not entirely my own, so to speak. The ambience of this evening, with its vibrant magic and unique beings, calls to mind another great city. I can't tell you its name, but I think, when I was there, I was clearer in my mind."
"I've spent only a short time in Katheer, so I don't think that was it. I'll try to explain."
"The structure and symbols of music are essential to me. They occupy my thoughts. When I first came to the Prime with almost no possessions, I couldn't rest with the urge to express those forms within. Through the friendship and gratitude of the ship's crew who I first met, I had the chance to consult master smiths and instrument-makers in Magnimar and through many conversations, we arrived at these devices."
"I have no doubt I'm influenced by those who made me as I am, but the blade represents something earlier, I believe - some important truths from my past."
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"Righty! My good man! Another 'Landing Fee' on my bill, and I'll have the best meal in the house! And a gallon of Ale! - no strike that, a gallon of what she's having", pointing at Talia Hammer's tankard of mead, "just...
No charge of course when reacuing friends of the society. I do hope the villans were sent along to Pharasma's arms, as you've snatched these from the same location.
I find the local Absolom dark ale is a nice after rescue starter. Those saved should have a few shots of rum on me. Trust me its good to stop the shakes..
(Intentional emphasis on the shakes as his hand twitches and the elf subconsciously rubs it back to stillness.)
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"Righty! My good man! Another 'Landing Fee' on my bill, and I'll have the best meal in the house! And a gallon of Ale! - no strike that, a gallon of what she's having", pointing at Talia Hammer's tankard of mead, "just...
No charge of course when reacuing friends of the society. I do hope the villans were sent along to Pharasma's arms, as you've snatched these from the same location.
I find the local Absolom dark ale is a nice after rescue starter. Those saved should have a few shots of rum on me. Trust me its good to stop the shakes..
(Intentional emphasis on the shakes as his hand twitches and the elf subconsciously rubs it back to stillness.)
"Ha! The 'dispatching of creatures' to the Lady of Graves is NOT in my job description anymore. Just 'the Body Recovery', and keeping the team alive while we do it. We got the 'body' this time, and what do you know, it not only was mostly intact, but was still alive! Sorta.
"Pathfinder had got himself in a real jam, and so 'locked himself in amber'! Quick thinking adventurer he was - popped a scroll with one of those Snake Sigils on it. So the Poison/Curse didn't kill him before we got to him - 'suspended animation' and all that. But then Wander dispelled the Sigil, and surprise-surprise, he was not happy. A few seconds to tell us the problem, and if I hadn't had Delay Poison ready he would have been really dead - and re-animated as undead! First time I've see that kind of thing, combining an undead curse with a poison base - hope it's not a new fad or something. Nasty stuff... Anyway, shipped him off to a Witch specializing in both Curses and Poisons, so she should be able to fix him up by morning."
By now Giamo would be settling into dinner, waving "ripe meat off the bone" in one hand and a full tankard (Caydens Silver Tankard filled with the house mead) in the other. Soon there will be off-key singing and off-color jokes, perhaps he will brake into a chorus of that dwarven favorite "Gold! Gold! Gold!" or tell the story of the time he tried to fix a major demon up with a date. A fun party evening ahead, as one would expect at a table with a high level Cayden Cleric at it.
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"Oh, I don't really collect them, per se," Jannica waves dismissively. "I just know how to procure them cheaply and resell them for a bit of a profit. Pathfinders, I'm sure you know, are always in the market for wands, so I mostly deal with the society. Wands of Cure Light Wounds are always in demand, actually they are my most popular item, though I also sell plenty of wands of Mage Armor, wands of Infernal Healing, Shield . . . Then there are the occasional wands of see invisibility and resist energy, though those are far less common."
She takes a sip of her Irisini wine and contemplates for a bit.
"I do have to say, though, that my true passion is uncovering the secrets of magic items and their lore. Magic items are so much more powerful than people give them credit for . . . can do so much more if you simply give them a push in the right direction."
Turning to Janica, Giamo will continue there conversation.
"I've actually seen several unique uses of wands myself. A Halfling sorcerer friend of mine carried a wand of some electrical spell as a side arm. It seemed he really didn't have the strength to use an actual weapon, but the fact that he just had to touch things... I'm sure you can see the advantages.
"Then there was the wand we found that looked like a small wooden barrel. Small enough to hold in your hand, but shaped like one of those rain barrels you'll see outside General Stores? Yeah, you would hold it in hand, shake it and speak the trigger word. And out popped a swarm of screeching monkeys. Yeah, it was a 'barrel of monkeys'!"
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In the Common Room, in a flash of firelight, Katisha swirls her cape up from the chair it was laid on and clips it back around her shoulders. Leaning back on the chair the fire seams to swirl around her upper body, almost clothing her in continual flame. All a performance (Dance) - this causes anyone seeing her to loose sight of Percy
Katisha looks around the room, her gaze settling on anyone who might have made the Will save and will call out to anyone who seems to have not been captivated - or failing that anyone who looks relatively wealth, "Tell me, what brings you out on such a chill evening? Perhaps you can terry a while at my table and we can entertain each other?"
Righty notices the departure, but shrugs it off. Pathfinders wander all over this place, no use herding kittens.
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Mel hops up on a nearby seat...soo, what do you have thats mostly legal for sale? I love slightly illegal things.Regardless, on to business.
Stuff. We've got stuff to sell and it's mostly legal.
Selling, buying, renting? Is it bigger than a breadbox? Can I wave it about my head and feel better about myself? Would the constable arrest me for it, then smoke it and let me go for lack of evidence..... so many slightly illegal possibilities.
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Turning to Janica, Giamo will continue there conversation."I've actually seen several unique uses of wands myself. A Halfling sorcerer friend of mine carried a wand of some electrical spell as a side arm. It seemed he really didn't have the strength to use an actual weapon, but the fact that he just had to touch things... I'm sure you can see the advantages.
"Then there was the wand we found that looked like a small wooden barrel. Small enough to hold in your hand, but shaped like one of those rain barrels you'll see outside General Stores? Yeah, you would hold it in hand, shake it and speak the trigger word. And out popped a swarm of screeching monkeys. Yeah, it was a 'barrel of monkeys'!"
Janica takes another sip of her wine.
"Actually, rather ironically, I haven't learned yet how to bring out the latent powers of wands. Other items though . . ." she trails off thinking. Then she reaches down and unhooks her wayfinder from her belt and holds it up.
"Take this wayfinder for example. For most people, it's just a compass and a way to cast the light spell, as well as a recepticle for an Ioun stone. However, if you put a little work into it, there are other things it can do."
Janica concentrates for a moment. Her eyes and wayfinder begin to glow, and the air thrums with power. The light of her eyes seems to resonate with the light of the wayfinder, and then, suddenly, a small-sized earth elemental is standing next to them.
"There, see?" she says. "Most people don't stop to think that magic items can do alternate things like that. They have so much more potential than people give them credit for, if they are just given a little push."
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A green clad elf with mithral elven chainmail warily steps through the door. He bears a simple wayfinder on his belt. A strung datkwood bow with intricate elven runes is in hand while a beautiful lingsword is sheathed at his back. He walks directly to Righty
(In Elven) - Brother Rianthulas your establishment teems with.... customers, I hope the day finds you well.